A Starting Catcher Going 15 Innings – and Other All Star Game Oddities

July 12, 2021 by

Tuesday night’s MLB  All Star Game is just around the corner, which led me to reflect on some events from past All Star contests that we are not likely to see again (as well as a few other All Star Game tidbits). For example. how about a 15-inning All Star Game in which ten of the starting 16 position players played the entire contest – including the  AL’s starter at catcher Bill Freehan.   Or an All Star pitcher and future Hall of Famer giving up seven consecutive hits? Or maybe a hurler starting two All Star games in a single season?  Let look at these stories, other oddities and some All Star stats and records.

—–WE WON’T SEE THAT AGAIN—–

A Catcher Behind the Plate for 15 Innings

In 1967, when the National League topped the junior circuit 2-1 in 15 innings  (at the time, the longest All Star Game ever, later matched by the 2008 All Star contest), the following All Stars started the game and played the entire 15 innings. (Don’t think you’ll be seeing that again).

American League

Bill Freehan, Tigers, C  (Yes, Freehan caught all 15-innings)

Brooks Robinson, Orioles, 3B

Tony Oliva, Twins, Twins, CF

Harmon Killebrew, Twins, 1B

Tony Conigliaro, Red Sox, RF

Carl Yastrzemski, Red Sox, LF

National League

Roberto Clemente, Pirates, RF

Hank Aaron, Braves, started in CF and finished in LF

Orlando Cepeda, Giants, 1B

Gene Alley, Pirates, SS

A Quality Start

MLB defines a quality start as one of six innings or more with three of fewer earned runs given up.  Now, you can argue (correctly, I believe) that 4.50 ERA may not constitute a quality start. Given today’s All Star Game expected one, two or at the very most three-inning pitching appearances, you can confidently say we will not see another quality start in the All Star Game. Historically, there has only been one.  The Yankees’ Lefty Gomez tossed an All Star Game-record six innings in 1935 – giving up just three hits and one run. Also falling into the “We’ll never see that again” category – the American League used just two pitchers in their 4-1 win, Gomez and the Indians’ Mel Harder.

A Pitcher starting two All Star Games in a Single Season

From 1959-1962, MLB featured two All Star Games each season. In 1959, Don Drysdale became the only pitcher to start two MLB All Star Games in a season.  On July 7, he started at Forbes Field and held the AL hitless – with four strikeouts – for three innings. (The NL won 5-4). On August 3, he started at the Los Angeles Coliseum and again went three innings, this time giving up three runs on four hits and three walks (fanning five).

One Team Using Only Eleven Players

When the American League won the 1942 All Star Game, they used an ASG record-low 11 players. All eight position players went the distance and the team used one pinch hitter and one relief pitcher.

Here’s the lineup:

Lou Boudreau SS

Tommy Henrich RF

Ted Williams LF

Joe DiMaggio CF

Rudy York 1B

Joe Gordon 2B

Ken Keltner 3B

Birdie Tebbetts C

Spud Chandler P

Bob Johnson PH

Al Benton P

A Future Hall of Famer Giving Up Seven Straight Hits

Hall of Famer Tom Glavine started the 1992 All Star Game (he came in with a  13-3, 2.57 record). After retiring American League leadoff hitter 2B Robert Alomar on a grounder to second, he surrendered seven consecutive hits – all singles, by the way – to 3B Wade Boggs, LF Kirby Puckett, RF Joe Carter, 1B Mark McGwire, SS Cal Ripken Jr., CF Ken Griffey Jr. and C Sandy Alomar; with the AL plating four runs.  In the process, Glavine set the (still) All Star Game record for hits allowed in an inning – seven.  Surprisingly, he finished the frame and came out for the second inning – giving up two more hits and another run before being pulled.  He set another record – most hits allowed in an All Star Game appearance at nine. I suppose it could happen, but I seriously doubt in manager would leave pitcher in for this kind of treatment any longer.

Atlee Hammaker, holds the record for the most runs surrendered in an All-star Appearance. In the 1983 All Star contest, he  gave up seven earned runs on six nits and a walk in just 2/3 of an inning. The big hit was a Fred Lynn Grand Slam – still the only bases-loaded blast in an All Star Game.  1983 was Hammaker only All Star selection in a 12-season MLB career. 

A Ted Williams-style Record Setting Day

Photo by wild mercury

Ted Williams went the distance in the 1946 All Star game – played in front of the home-town fans at  Fenway and – thanks to that full-game experience – wrote his way into the ASG records books in a way we are unlikely to ever see again. Williams came into the game hitting .347, with 23 home runs, 82 runs scored and 71 RBI in 79 regular-season games.  Compared to the day he was about to have that would look like a slump. Here’s how Williams’ day went.

In the first inning, batting third and facing the Cubs’ Claude Passeau, Williams drew a walk and then scored on a home run by the Yankees’ Charlie Keller.

In the bottom of the fourth, leading off against new NL hurler Kirby Higbe of the Dodgers, Williams homered to give the AL a 3-0 lead.

In the bottom of the fifth, with Higbe still in the game, Teddy Ballgame came up again – this time with one out the Senators’ Stan Spence on third and the Browns’ Vern Stephens on second.   This time, Williams delivered a run-scoring single.

In the bottom of the seventh, facing the Reds’ Ewell Blackwell with none on and two out, Williams singled again.

Finally, in the bottom of the eighth – facing the Pirates’ Rip Sewell and his Ephus pitch – with Stephens and the Browns’ Jack Kramer on base, William capped off his day with a three-run homer.

The AL squad prevailed by a 12-0 score – and Williams’ final tally was:  four-for-four, plus a walk, two home runs, four runs scored and five runs driven in.   In the process, Williams set or tied the following All Star Game single-game records:

  • Runs Scored (four – Williams still stands alone); total bases (ten – Williams stands alone);
  • Runs Batted in (five – later, 1954, tied by the Indians’ Al Rosen);
  • Base Hits (four – tying the Cardinals’ Ducky Medwick, 1937, and later matched by the Red Sox’ Carl Yastrzemski, 1970);
  • Home Runs (two – tying Pirates’ Arky Vaughn, who did it in 1942; later tied by the Indians’ Al Rosen in 1954; Giants’ Willie McCovey in 1969; and Expos’ Gary Carter in 1981).

The youngest and oldest All Stars ever were both pitchers: Dwight Gooden (19 years-seven month-24 Days) and Satchel Paige (47 years-seven days).

Playing in 24 All Star Games – Amassing 25 All Star Squad e Selections

Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial all played in 24 All Star Games each    A couple of things are against seeing this record ever matched. 1) It takes an unexpectedly long career to reach these numbers; 2) With 30 teams (rather than the sixteen – or even 24– of the past), it is harder to make an All Star squad. Note: There is some confusion here since, in some years (1959-62), there were two All Star Games.  Aaron holds the record for seasons on an All Star Game team (21), and total All Star Game rosters made (25). Mays and Musial each played in 24 AS Games in 20 All Star seasons.

Willie Mays and Hank Aaron played on the most winning All Star teams (17); while Brooks Robinson player on the most losing squads (15 in 18 All Star appearances).

Fanning Six Future Hall of Famers

The record for strikeouts by a pitcher in an All Star Game is six – Carl Hubbell (1934); Johnny Vander Meer (1943); Larry Jansen (1950); Fergie Jenkins (1967.) Given today’s hard-throwing/free swinging brand of baseball, we may very well see that six-whiff record equaled or surpassed. But I doubt if anyone will match Carl Hubbell ‘s 1934 feat of fanning six future Hall of Famers in the same All Star Game. King Carl, on his way to a 21-win season (the second of five straight 20+ win campaigns), came into the game with a 12-5, 2.76 ERA regular-season stat line. Hubbell had struck out 58 hitters in 156 1/3 innings pitched to that point (it was, indeed, a difference game back then), but he was about to make the strikeout a much bigger part of his game.

The game was played on July 10, 1934 at New York’s Polo Grounds – with screwball-specialist Hubbell starting for the NL and Yankee Lefty Gomez starting for the AL.  Facing an AL line up stacked with some of the game’s greatest hitters, Hubbell got off to a rocky start, giving up a lead-off single to Detroit’s Charlie Gehringer, followed by a walk to the Senators’ Heinie Manusch. Then the fun began, as Hubbell set down five straight future Hall of Famers – all on strikeouts – the Yankees’ Babe Ruth, Yankees’ Lou Gehrig, and Athletics’ Jimmie Foxx to close out the first. The White Sox’ Al Simmons and Senators’ Joe Cronin to open the second.  Hubbell then gave up a single to Yankees’ Bill Dickey, before whiffing Lefty Gomez (also a future Hall of Famer) to end the inning. After an uneventful third inning – two fly outs, a ground out and walk – Hubbell left the game credited with three scoreless innings, two hits, two walks and six strikeouts – all six future Hall of Famers (although Gomez made it as a pitcher – not a hitter).

Oh yes, the AL won the game 9-7, and Hubbell’s feat was amplified by how those HOF whiff victims fared over the rest of the game?  Against pitchers not names Hubbell, they went seven-for-sixteen, with four doubles, five runs scored and three RBI.

–—-A FEW ALL STAR GAME “FIRSTS” AND STILL “ONLYS”—–

First and still only All Star Game Steal of Home … 1934 AS game, fifth inning, two out, two on, NL trailing 8-6, NL 3B Pie Traynor (Pirates)  notches the first (and still only) AS Game steal of home. (AL won game 9-7.)

First and still only All Star Game Grand Slam … 1983 All Star Game, third inning, bases loaded, two outs, AL leading 5-1, AL CF Fred Lynn hits first – and still only – AS Game Grand Slam. (AL wins 13-3)

First and  still only All Star Game Inside-the-Park Home Run … 2007 All Star Game, fifth inning, one on, one out, AL CF Ichiro Suzuki hits first – and still only – AS Game inside-the-park home run.

First and still only two-triple All Star Game … 1978 ASG, Rod Carew, Twins, triples leading off the first and third innings, both off the Giants’ Vida Blue.

–—ALL STAR GAME TARGETS—–

Most Hits in an All Star Game … Four – Joe Medwick (1937); Ted Williams (1946); Carl Yastrzemski (1970)

Most Doubles in an ASG … Two – Nine players (Most recently, the Brewers’ Jonathan LeCroy in 2014.  No surprise, LeCroy had a league-leading 53 doubles that season.)

Most Triples in an ASG …  Two – Rod Carew (1978)

Most Home Runs in an ASG … Two – Arky Vaughn (1941); Ted Williams (1946); Al Rosen (1954); Willie McCovey (1969); Gary Carter (1981)

Most RBI in an ASG … Five – Ted Williams (1946); Al Rosen (1954)

Most Walks in an ASG … Three – Charlie Gehringer (1934); Phil Cavarretta (1944)

Most Batters Strikeouts in an ASG …  Four  (consecutively) – Roberto Clemente (1967)

In the 1967 All Star Game, Roberto Clemente fanned in four consecutive at bats against four different pitchers: Dean Chance (third inning); Gary Peters (sixth); Al Downing (ninth); Catfish Hunter (eleventh). He also had a single in the first (Chance) and a ground out in the fourteenth (Hunter).

Most Stolen Bases in an ASG …  Two – Willie Mays (1963); Kelly Gruber (1990); Roberto Alomar (1992); Kenny Lofton (1996); Starlin Castro (2011)

Most Innings Pitched in an ASG …  Six –  Lefty Gomez (1935)

Most Strikeouts in an ASG … Six –  Carl Hubbell (1934); Johnny Vander Meer (1943); Larry Jansen (1950: Fergie Jenkins (1967)

Most Consecutive Strikeouts in an ASG …  Five – Carl Hubbell (1934); Fernando Valenzuela (1986)

Babe Ruth, appropriately, smacked the first-ever All Star Game home run.

–—CAREER ALL STAR GAME RECORDS—–

AS Game Hits … Willie Mays – 23

AS Game Doubles … Dave Winfield – 7

Gary Sheffield and Moises Alou were selected All Stars while with the most teams at five.     Sheffield – Padres, Marlins, Dodgers, Braves and Yankees; Alou – Expos, Marlins, Astros, Cubs and Giants.

AS Game Triples …Willie Mays and Brooks Robinson – 3

AS Game Home Runs … Stan Musial – 6

Stan Musial hit .317 in 24 All Star games with two doubles, six home runs,10 RBI, and 11 runs scored.

AS Game RBI… Ted Williams – 12

AS Game Walks …Ted Williams – 11

Ted Williams hit .304 in 19 All Star Games, with two doubles, one triple, four home runs, 12 RBI and a.439 on-base percentage. 

AS Game Stolen Bases … Willie Mays – 6

Willie Mays stole six ASG bases in seven attempts. The most ASG steals without being caught belong to Roberto Alomar and Kenny Lofton at five each. 

The Most Positions Played (career) in All Star Games … Pete Rose – 5 (1B, 2B, 3B, LF RF)

AS Game Runs Scored …Willie Mays – 20

PHOTO: New York World-Telegram and the Sun staff photographer, William C. Greene, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Willie Mays hit .307 in 24 All Star games, with two doubles, three triples, three home runs, nine RBI, 20 runs scored and six stolen bases.

AS Game Pitcher Wins … Lefty Gomez – 3

AS Game Total Pitching Appearances … Roger Clemens – 10

AS Games Started (pitcher) … Lefty Gomez, Robin Roberts, Don Drysdale – 5

Lefty Gomez went 3-1, 2.50 in five All Star Game starts (18 innings pitched). 

AS Game Saves ... Mariano Rivera – 4

AS Games Innings Pitched … Don Drysdale – 19 1/3

AS Game Strikeouts … Don Drysdale – 19

Don Drysdale went 2-1, 1.40 in All Star games, fanning 19 batters in 19 1/3 innings (10 hits, four walks). 

Most All Star Games Managed … Casey Stengel – 10 (Stengel also managed the most losses at 6)

Most All Star Winning Teams Managed … Walt Alston – Seven (in eight games)

Note: It’s hard to pick AS Game career leaders in such areas as ERA and batting average. (How many at bats or innings pitched do you use to qualify?) However, here are two BBRT nominations. If you use 20 at bats as a standard, your batting average leader is Charlie Gehringer at .500 (ten-for-twenty in six AS games, plus nine walks). If you use ten innings pitched as a qualifier, only Mel Harder can  boast a 0.00 ERA (13 innings).

All Star Game Scoring Bookends

The highest scoring All Star Game ever took place in 1998 at (Where Else?) Coors Field – as the teams combined for 21 runs in a 13-8 American League win.  Side note: Thirteen is the highest run total ever up by an All Star squad, accomplished by The AL in 1983, 1992 and 1998.

The lowest scoring game (combined) took place in (When else?) in 1968 (The Year of the Pitcher) – as the NL topped the AL 1-0. with the only run scoring on a double play (no RBI in the contest).

______________________________________________________

Finally, to wrap up, here’s a dozen AS Game firsts from 1933.

First Venue: Comiskey Park 1 (July 6, 1933).

First AS Game Attendance: 47,595

Final Score of First AS Game: AL 4 – NL -2

First Batter/Pitcher Match Up: NL 3B Pepper Martin (Cardinals) versus Lefty Gomez (Yankees). Gomez retired Martin on a grounder to shortstop.

First Starting Pitchers: AL, Lefty Gomez (Yankees) – NL, Bill Hallahan (Cardinals). Gomez got the first All Star win, Hallahan the first loss.

First Hit: Cardinals’ Chick Hafey (leading off second inning – off the Yankees’ Lefty Gomez). Hafey was starting in LF and batting fourth for the NL.

First Run Scored: AL starting 3B Jimmy Dykes (White Sox).

First RBI: AL starting pitcher Lefty Gomez (Yankees) – drove home Jimmy Dykes (White Sox), who had walked, with a single to center field. Take that, DH Rule.

First Double: Pie Traynor (Pirates), NL pinch hitter – top of seventh off Lefty Grove (Yankees).

First Triple: NL pitcher Lon Warneke (Cubs) – top of the sixth inning off Alvin Crowder (Senators). Take that again, DH Rule.

First Home Run: AL RF Babe Ruth (Yankees), two-run home run, bottom of the third, off Bill Hallahan (Cardinals). So, your first All Star Game double, triple and homer were hit by pitchers or former pitchers.

First Stolen Base: Bottom of first, AL 2B Charlie Gehringer (Tigers).

First Strikeout: Final out, top of second. Pitcher – Lefty Gomez (Yankees). Hitter – NL SS Dick Bartell (Phillies).

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com

 

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Whiffing Your Way into the Record Books – Fifty Years Ago Today

July 9, 2021 by

On this date (July 9), fifty years ago, the California Angels were in Oakland to take on the A’s.  It didn’t seem like much of a matchup.  The A’s were 55-29 in first place in the AL West, while the Angels were in fourth place, nine games under .500 (40-49) and 17 ½ games out.  Further, the A’s were starting ace Vida Blue 17-3, 1.51 at the time, while the Angels starter was Rudy May at 4-5, 3.24. Side note:  The 21-year-old Blue was on his way to a 24-8, 1.82 season that would earn him the AL Cy Young and MVP Awards.  The 26-year-old May would end the season 11-12, 3.02.

It proved, however, to be a very competitive matchup – going just over five hours (20 innings) and ending in a 1-0 score. Ironically the Angels lost to the A’s on a walk-off, run-scoring single by a player named Angel (A’s rookie RF Angel Mangual). In the process:

  • The two teams fanned a total of  43 times, at the time the MLB record for combined whiffs in a game (since broken) – and still the American League record. (On May 7, 2017, the Yankees and Cubs fanned a combined 48 times.)
  • Angels’ batters  whiffed 26 times – still a single-game, single-team record, but since tied by the: Yankees (vs. White Sox – May 7, 2017); Dodgers (vs. Brewers – June 2, 2017); and Mets (vs. Braves – August 8, 2019).
  • Career MLB strikeout leader Reggie Jackson started for the A’s, but did not strikeout in four plate appearances (one walk).
  • Twenty different batters struck out during the game (nine for the Angels, 11 for the A’s); 12 of those 20 struck out more than once.
  • The number-three and number-four Angels’ hitters accounted for just over  one-quarter of all the strikeouts: LF Billy Cowan, batting third, went 0-for-8, with six strikeouts and RF Tony Conigliaro, batting cleanup, went 0-for-8 with five strikeouts.
  • There were 18 hits in the contest – 17 singles and one double (Angels’ catcher Jerry Moses).
  • The hitting “star” of the game was the A’s Angel Mangual, not only did he drive in the winning run, he had three hits and a walk in nine plate appearance and did not strikeout. (The only other player to play the full game and not fan at least once was A’s 3B Sal Bando – four walks in four plate appearances).
  • 36 players were used: 20 by the A’s; 16 by the Angels.
  • A couple of A’s pitchers with good nicknames appeared, but not on the mound. Blue Moon Odom was used as a pinch runner and Catfish Hunter as a pinch hitter.
  • Tony LaRussa came into the game for the A’s at SS in the tenth, struck out in his only at bat (to end the 12th) and was lifted for a pinch hitter with the bases loaded and two out in the 14th.

In the game, Vida Blue threw 11 scoreless frames (seven hits, no walks, 17 strikeouts; while May went 12 innings (just three hits, six walks and 13 strikeouts). Rollie Fingers pitched seven innings in relief (zero runs, two hits, one walk, seven strikeouts). The win went to Darold Knowles, the loss to Mel Queen.

Twenty Strikeouts by One Team in a Nine-Inning Game.

The record for strikeouts by a team in a nine-inning game is twenty and it’s been done six times. Five of those were AL teams and one was an NL squad (and the NL team that fanned twenty times  has since moved to the AL).  Notably, in four of those games the starting pitcher went the distance.

In the four nine-inning games in which a single pitcher recorded 20 strikeouts – not a single walk was issued.

Side note: On May, 2001, Randy Johnson of the Diamondbacks fanned 20 batters  (no walks) over nine innings, but left the game with the scored tied 1-1.  The Diamondbacks eventually won 4-3 in 11 innings, with five D-backs’ relievers fanning only more batter over two innings. 

Primary Resources:  Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; NationalPastime.com

 

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A Four-Time All Star’s Lost Weekend in San Francisco

July 6, 2021 by

Baseball Roundtable is drawn, at times, to unusual MLB events and box scores – the kind of things  you just don’t expect to see.  This post is about one of those times.

On this date (July 6) in 1958, Cardinals’ right-hander Larry Jackson (who would be a four-time All Star in his 14-season MLB career) put the finishing touches on what had to be a “lost” weekend in San Francisco. Here’s now it went down.

First, the Cardinals faced off against the Giants in a pair of games – Saturday, July 5 and Sunday July 6 – and would lose both by 5-4 scores in walk-off fashion.  However, there was no walk-off hit, but rather a walk-off walk and a walk-off hit by pitch, with Jackson being the victim in both games.  In fact, Jackson, coming on in relief, pitched a total of one inning and   retired just three of  11 batters he faced –  giving up two hits, five walks and one hit batter and getting charged with two losses.  (But it wasn’t all hit fault.)

Here’s how it went.

On July 5, Jackson was called to the mound in the bottom of the ninth with  the Cardinals ahead 4-3, one out and a runner (Willie Mays)  on first.  The first hitter to face Jackson was 3B Ray Jablonski, who tripled to RF scoring Mays with the tying run. Remember I said, it wasn’t all Jackson’s fault.  Jackson was then told to intentionally walk SS Daryl Spencer and LF Leon Wagner – loading the  bases (and setting up a double-play possibility.)  He then got C Bob Schmidt on a foul pop out. Next was pinch-hitter Willie Kirkland, who walked – bringing in the winning run and giving Jackson his first loss of the weekend.

Jackson got the call in the ninth inning again on Sunday, July 6, this time starting the inning – with the game knotted at 4-4. He got C Valmy Thomas on a grounder to second, then walked P Al Worthington and gave up a single to 1B Whitey Lockman – putting runners on first and second. He got the previous day’s hero – Willie Kirkland (in RF in this game) – to ground into a force at second, leaving runners on first and third with two out. CF Willie Mays was next up – and was gifted an intentional walk, loading the sacks.  Jackson then hit 3B Larry Davenport with a pitch – giving the Giants another 5-4 walk-off win and Jackson another loss.

One of the things that made this pair of box score interesting to me is that those July 5 and 6 games with the Giants last two before the All Star Game – and Jackson’s next appearance would come on July 8, when he relieved Bob Friend in the bottom of the sixth in the All Star Game and with runners on first and second, one out and Gil McDougald at the plate.  Jackson got McDougald to hit into an inning-ending double play – and was pinch hit for (by Johnny Logan) in the top of the seventh.  Note: Jackson came into that weekend in San Francisco with a 5-4, 3.40 record and eight saves in nine opportunities.

Jackson didn’t pitch after the All Star break until July 13, when he relieved in both ends of a doubleheader (Pittsburgh at St. Louis). In the first game of the twin bill, he took a third consecutive regular-season loss.  This time he came on in the bottom of the fifth with two outs, the bases loaded and the Cardinals ahead 5-1.  In that contest, Jackson faced four batters and gave up four singles (five runs scoring, two charged to Jackson). So, in three regular-season games, Jackson had now faced 15 batters, retiring just three and giving up six hits, five walks and one hit batsman (and, again, in the middle had pitched in the All Star Game). The Cardinals went right back to Jackson in the top of the ninth inning of Game Two – bringing him in with the Pirates leading 8-6. He righted his ship, pitching a scoreless frame, with one hit and one strikeout.

By the way, that lost weekend in San Francisco was not an indication of Jackson’s career.  As noted, that season, he was an All Star selection and went  13-13, 3.68 with eight saves (23 starts and 26 relief appearances). He pitched 14 MLB seasons, going 194-183, 3.40. He  was an All Star four times and won 15 or more games in six seasons – going 24-11, 3.14 in 1964 (leading the NL in wins and finishing second in the Cy Young Award voting. All that makes that weekend in SF so much more unexpected.

Primary Resource:  Baseball-Reference.com; NationalPastime.com

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Rube Marquard and the (possibly) Unlucky Opal

July 3, 2021 by

RUBE MARQUARD.   Photo: Bain News Service, publisher, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

On this date (June 3) in 1912, New York Giants’ southpaw Rube Marquard ran his 1912 season record to 19-0, with a complete game 2-1 win over the rival Brooklyn Dodgers (at the Polo Grounds). In nine frames, Marquard gave up nine hits and one run (unearned), walked five and fanned three.  Marquard’s nineteen wins (before a loss) to start a season remains the MLB record.

Marquard, coming off a 24-7, 2.50 season in 2011 had (grasp of the obvious here) been dominant through July 3, winning all 18 of his starts (16 complete games) and picking up one win in relief. In those 18 starts, he had given up a total of 40 runs (29 earned). Marquard was particularly tough in May, going 7-0, with a 0.73 earned run average and six complete games in seven starts.  In his non-complete start, he went seven shutout innings (six hits, one walk, nine strikeouts) and left with an 11-0 lead. During his streak, Marquard earned at least two wins versus every National League team (except the Giants, of course). Things didn’t get any easier as the streak went on. The 19 wins included five one-run victories – all coming in the final seven games of the streak.

Hmm?  Legend or reality?  Legend has it that Marquard bought himself a fancy opal stickpin to celebrate after his nineteenth win – and that, when  a friend told him opals were a jinx, he threw the pin away. Whether the story is true (or not), Marquard did take a loss in each of his next three appearances (two starts) and, in fact, went 7-11 for the remainder of the season.  He still led the NL in wins with 26.

Side note  There are some well-known superstitions about opals– such as that white opals are bad luck, but black opals are lucky; if an opal is included in an engagement/wedding ring, the bride will soon become a widow; if diamonds are included in the setting, they negate the negative powers of the opal.

As the chart below shows, Marquard was “exceptional” by league standards through July 3 of the 2012 season – and then pitched slightly below NL season averages for the remainder of the campaign. He did pitch well in the 1912 World Series (which the Giants lost to the Red Sox 4-3-1). Marquard started and won Games Two and Six – picking a pair of complete games – giving up just one run.

Marquard, a Hall of Famer, pitched 18 MLB seasons (1908-25) – going 201-177, 3.08. He had three 20+ win seasons (1911-13) all for the Giants.  In that three -season span, he went 73-28, 2.52. He also led the NL in strikeouts once.

For those who like to know such things, the record for consecutive victories is 24 by Carl Hubbell (July 17, 1936 – May 27, 1937) –  a streak during which Hubbell made 27 appearances (22 starts), threw 19 complete games and put up a 1.82 ERA.

Primary Resource:  Baseball-Reference.com

 

Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer:  The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change as Major League Baseball recognizes and incorporates Negro League records from 1920-48 into the MLB record books.

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Baseball Roundtable June Wrap Up … Three-Homer Games, Triples Plays, a No-Hitter and more

July 1, 2021 by

It’s June 1, and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s s June Wrap Up – a look at:

  • June statistics and stories that caught BB Roundtable’s eye in the past month;
  • Leader boards for June and Year-to-Date:
  • BBRT’s Players and Pitchers of the Month;
  •  BBRT’s monthly Trot Index.

Here’s a hint at the kind of things you’ll read about – if you make it to the end of this post.

  • One MLB team playing .700+ ball in June (Brewers) and one playing .111 ball (Diamondbacks).
  • One qualifying batter topping .400 for the month – and one team hitting below .200 (Cubs).
  • One qualifying pitcher putting  up a June ERA under 0.75 – and three teams putting up ERA’s of 6.00 or higher.
  • An “Immaculate Inning.”
  • Four three-homer games.
  • Three triple plays.
  • A record-tying ten consecutive strikeouts.
  • A record-tying third career “cycle.”

So, let’s get started.

———–Baseball Roundtable Players and Pitchers of the Month … June 2021————

National League

Player of the Month …. Kyle Schwarber, LF, Nationals

Photo: All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

In June, Schwarber led all of MLB in home runs (16) and RBI (30), while putting  up a .280 average and scoring 22 runs. Schwarber came into June hitting just .230, with nine home runs and 23 RBI. In fact, as of June 11 (after 51 games), his stat line was .218-9-26.  From June 12 to the end of the month (19 games), he raked at a .329 pace, with those 16 home runs and 27 RBI. His hot streak included five multi-homer contests, including a three-homer game on June 20.  The Nationals went 15-4 during the Schwarber surge. From June 19 through June 30, he hit 12 home ruins and drove in 19 tallies in a dozen games.

Honorable Mention(s): Braves’ 2B Ozzie Albies hit .327 in June, with six home runs and 29 RBI (second in MLB to Schwarber’s 30). His 36 hits were third in the NL, as were his ten doubles.  For good measure, he tossed in eight steals. Pirates’ CF Bryan Reynolds hit .376 for the month (best among NL qualifiers), was fourth in the NL in hits (35) popped seven home runs, His 22 RBI trailed only Schwarber and Ozzie Albies (29) in the NL.

In June, 57 percent of Kyle Schwarber’s hits were home runs (28 hits.16 homers). Surprisingly, Schwarber did not have a single double or triple). See what I did there – single, double triple?

Pitcher of the Month … Jacob deGrom, RHP, Mets

Photo: David from Washington, DC, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Another easy pick, Jacob deGrom was lights outs in June – going 3-0 in five starts, with a minuscule 0.67 ERA, a 0.44 WHIP and an opponent’s average against of 0.90 – all MLB’s best among qualifying pitchers for the month. He also fanned 40 batters in 27 innings, while walking just four. In his first two starts of the month, deGrom fanned 23 batters and walked just one in 13 frames.  Oh, and let’s not forget, deGrom hit .333 for the month (three-for-nine, with three RBI) – which was a bit of a slump for him. He was averaging .450 (9-for-20) going into June.

Honorable Mention: The Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks and Dodgers’ Walker Buehler deserve recognition  after being Junes’ only five-game winners. Hendricks was 5-0, 2.97 in six starts; while Buehler was 5-1, 1.85.

 

 

 

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American League

Photo: All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Player of the Month – Vlad Guerrero, Jr., 1B, Blue Jays

Vlad Guerrero, Jr.  hit .371 for the month, bashed ten homers (second only to Shohei Ohtani in the AL ), drove in 24 runs (third in the AL), and scored 24 runs (tied for first in the AL). From June 11-14, Guerrero homed in four straight games – driving in eight runs against Toronto’s division rival Red Sox. In June, Guerrero had ten multi-hit games. Just 23 and already in his third season, he ended the month leading MLB (ytd) in  RBI and  was second in the AL in home runs and average.  Could a Triple Crown chase be in the works?

Honorable Mentions(s). This was no easy call. Guerrero’s competition included the Angels’ Shohie Ohtani, who hit .309, with an AL-leading 13 June homers, along with 23 RBI and 20 runs scored (and started five games on the mound, going 2-0, 4.94, with 33 strikeouts in 23 2/3 innings).   Then there were the:  Astros’ LF Michael Brantley, who hit .410 for the month (one homer, 15 RBI); Orioles’ CF Cedric Mullins, .380 in June, with eight homers, 16 RBI and seven steals;  Royals’ 2B Whit Merrifield, who had an MLB-high 40 hits in 27 games (.351-4-17, with seven steals); and Tigers’ 1B Jonathon Schoop (.340-10-27). All deserving candidates.

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Pitcher of the Month – Sean Manaea, LHP, A’s

DR. Buddie, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Despite a 3-2 record, Manaea had an exceptional June, putting up a 1.13 ERA (lowest among AL qualifiers), a 0.97 WHIP (second-best in the AL) and fanning 34 batters in 32 innings – while holding opponents to a .181 average (lowest in the AL among qualifiers). In his two June losses, he gave up three earned runs in 11 1/3 innings, while fanning 18 batters.  He gave up more than one earned run in only one start. On June 3, he tossed a complete-game shutout against the Mariners (four hits, two walks, eight strikeouts). He ended June leading the AL (ytd) in complete games with two – both shutouts.

Honorable Mention(s): Robbie Ray went 4-1, 2.86 in six June starts for the Blue Jays – fanning 53 (best in MLB) and walking just nine in 34 2/3 innings. The Astros’ Framber Valdez went  4-1 in June, with a 2.10 earned run average and 31 strikeouts in 34 1/3 innings He walked only seven batters and fashioned a 0.99 WHIP. Chris Bassitt of the A’s also deserved consideration with a June line of 4-0, 2.70, with 35 strikeouts in 36 2/3 frames. Manaea gets the edge with that 1.13 ERA and 0.97 WHIP.

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Surprise Player of the Month – Raimel Tapia, LF, Rockies

Tapia hit .356 for the month, leading the NL with 37 safeties, 15 doubles and 26 runs scored – although he did not show home run power, with no homers and 12 RBI for the month. He also stole six bases in  tries and fanned only 15 times in 113 at bats. Signed as an international free agent back in 2010, Tapia has shown a solid bat (.319 in eight minor league seasons). In his first four looks at major-league pitching (2016-19), he hit .274 in 255 games. Given a chance in the 2020 COVID season, he upped his game (.321 average in 51 games). Through May of 2021, he struggled a bit – .259-5-26 in 52 games, but he turned it around in June, raising his season average to .294.  He was always considered a strong prospect, but I was surprised to see him leading the NL in hits and MLB in doubles and runs scored for June.

 

 

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TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BBRT FEATURE

Through June 2021, 37.1 percent of the MLB season’s 89,197 plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We’re talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher’s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here’s the breakout: strikeouts (23.9%); walks (8.9%); home runs (3.2%); HBP (1.2%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Personally, I’d like more action in the field of play.

The 37.1 percent figure compares with 2020’s (full season) 37.3 percent;  2019’s (full season) 36.2 percent and 2018’s 34.8 percent Trot Index.  

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Three teams won 19 games in June (Nationals, Astros and Brewers). A few comments on those teams in a bit, but of more interest is the Diamondbacks, who managed just three wins (against 24 losses) in June.  Pitching seems to have been the biggest culprit, as the Diamondbacks were one of three teams with  June ERAs of 6.00 or higher. Then again, only two teams scored fewer runs in June than the Diamondbacks, so there is plenty of “credit” to go around.  The Diamondbacks suffered through a 17-game losing streak from June 2 to June 20 – and ended the month on an active four-game loss string.

The Brewers were the only team to play .700 ball for the month – and were led by an offense that scored the most June runs in the NL.  They did it primarily with power (hitting and pitching). Their 39 home runs  were fourth in the NL and staff’s 286 strikeouts first, while their .233 team average was ninth and their team ERA fifth.  Surprisingly, the key offensive contributor may have been SS Willy Adames (.265-5-19), who led the team in June home runs an RBI. (The Brewers had five players with five June homers.) Relievers carried the day pretty often for the Brew Crew. Of the four Brewers with at least three wins in June, three were relievers.

The Astros finished at 19-9 for the month, despite closing June on an active four-game losing streak. As a team, they led the MLB in June runs scored, were third in home runs and first in average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. They also notched the third-lowest ERA (best in the AL).  LF Michael Brantley hit .410 for the month – and the Astros had five qualifying players hit .330 or better. Starters Framber Valdez, Zack Greinke and Luis Garcia made 16 starts and went 10-3, with a combined 2.92 ERA.

The Red Sox built their 19 wins on the AL’s fourth-best batting average and runs scored (ninth in home runs) and sixth-best ERA. Like the Brewers, they brought the heat on the mound – with their staff leasing the AL in strikeouts. A pair of relievers made key contributions. Hirokazu Sawamura went 3-0, 2.25 in 12 appearances (fanning 14 in 12 innings) and Garrett Whitlock went 3-0 0.66 in nine appearances, fanning 15 in 13 innings. Closer Matt Barnes chipped in two wins and six saves. On offense, 3B Rafael Devers, RF Hunter Renfroe, SS Xander Bogaerts and LF J.D. Martinez all had at least fifteen June RBI.

–——Team Statistical Leaders For  June———-

RUNS SCORED

National League – Brewers  (147); Reds (137); Nationals (131)

American League – Astros (170); Angels (154); Blue Jays (142)

No one scored fewer runs in June than the Cardinals, who had just 86 runners safely touch home plate. 

AVERAGE

National League – Rockies  (.267); Giants (.259); Nationals (.257)

American League – Astros (.294); Blue Jays (.282); Angels (.270)

The lowest June  team average belonged to the Cubs – well below the Mendoza Lines at .188. The Rays had the lowest June average in the AL at .228.  The Cubs, notably, were second  in the NL in June home runs (40), Nearly one of four (24.5%) of the Cubs’ June hits left the park. 

HOME RUNS

National League – Padres (43); Cubs (40); Nationals (40)

American League –  Yankees (44); Angels (44); Astros (43); Twins (43)

The Diamondbacks  had the fewest June  home runs at 17. The only other teams with less than 20 homers for the month was the Cardinals (19). .

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Braves (22); Marlins (19); Padres (15); Rockies (15); Nationals (15)

American League – Tigers (24); Rays (23); Royals (14); Mariners (14)

The Diamondbacks  stole the fewest bases in June – just four (in eight attempts).

WALKS DRAWN

National League –   Brewers (118); Dodgers (111); Braves (108)

American League – Astros (126); Yankees (113); Rays (102)

The Astros led MLB in on-base percentage in June at .378, as well as in slugging percentage at .488.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Cubs (283); Mets (265; Braves (261)

American League – Mariners (275); Rays (253); Tigers  (250)

EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League –  Giants (3.04); Dodgers (3.17); Nationals (3.40)

American League – Astros (3.34);  A’s  (3.55); Rays (3.,88)

Three teams had ERA’s of 6.00 or higher June: Royals (6.00); Diamondbacks (6.10); Orioles (6.38). 

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Brewers (287); Reds (273); Dodgers (272)

American League – Red Sox (258); Angels (251); Rays (50)

The Dodgers had the highest strikeouts per nine innings in June  at 10.78. The White Sox led the AL at 10.09.  Fourteen  teams averaged at least a strikeout per inning for the month.

SAVES

National League – Nationals (12); Dodgers (10); Brewers (10)

American League – Red  Sox (10); White  Sox (9); three with seven

 As you might expect, the Diamondbacks, who won only three games in June, had the fewest saves for the month.  That would be zero, with only two save opportunities.

–——————————June Highlights—————————-

A Complete Game for the Rays? No Way!

On June 3, Ryan Yarbrough started against the Yankees in New York.  Was anyone expecting a complete game?  Hardly. It was the 32nd start of Yarbrough’s four-season MLB career and he had yet to toss a complete game.  Further, the Rays were not known for letting pitchers go the distance.  Their last complete game had come on May 14, 2016 –five seasons and  731 games ago. Yarbrough, however, went the full nine, as the Rays pounded the Bronx Bombers 9-2. He tossed 113 pitches (74 strikes), gave up two runs on six hits (no walks) and fanned six.  His mound opponent, by the way, was none other than Yankee ace Gerrit Cole. Yarbrough ended June 4-3, 4.48 on the season.  The June 3 game was Yarbrough’s first win as a starting pitcher since August 11, 2019.

Immaculate As Can Be

On June 4, Yankee starter Michael King got off to a rocky start giving up a three-run home run to the Red Sox’ Rafael Devers in the top of the first inning. He then settled down and pitched a scoreless second and third frame, before pitching an immaculate inning (three strikeouts on nine pitches) in the fourth. In that inning, he got Red Sox’ RF Hunter Renfroe on swinging on a sinker; 1B Marwin Gonzales on  curve ball; and C Christian Vazquez on  another curve. Despite that sparkling inning, King took the loss (the Yankees fell 5-2), going 5 1/3 innings and giving up six hits and four runs (no walks, five strikeouts). At the end of June, King was 0-4, 4.06.

Going Four-for-Three … Not that Easy

In June, four players had three-homer games – bringing the season total of three-homer contests to nine.

On June 6, the Reds’ LF Jesse Winker popped three home runs in four at bats, driving in six runs as the Reds topped the Cardinals 8-7 in St. Louis.  It was Winker’s second three-homer games of the season. He finished June with a .325-19-48 line on the season – and one shy of Sammy Sosa’s 2001 record of three three-homer games in a season (for the Cubs).

On June 19,  Orioles ‘rookie (although he did play 35 games for the O’s in 2020) Ryan Mountcastle went 4-4 with three home runs as the Orioles  lost to the Blue Jays 10-7 at home.  Mountcastle ended June with a stat line of .263-14-47 on the season. The three-homer game was just Mountcastle’s second multi-homer MLB contest.

On June 20, the Nationals’ Kyle Schwarber (see the NL Player of the Month)  went three-for-four with three home runs and four RBI, as the Nationals topped the Mets 5-2 in Washington D.C.  It was one of five multi-homer games in June for Schwarber. As of June 30, his 2021 stat line was .249-25-53.  Schwarber has had 12 to-homer games.

On June 25, Fernando Tatis Jr., went four-for-five, with three home runs, four runs scored and three RBI – as the Padres topped the Diamondback 11-5 in San Diego.  As the end of June, Tatis stat line for 2021 was .300-26-56.  Tatis was is the tenth-youngest player to log a three-homer game.

Three-for-Three – Triple Plays that Is

June saw a trio of triple plays in major-league baseball – two by the Yankees.

On June 6, the Minnesota Twins escaped the Royals 2-1 – and needed the help of a third-inning triple play to do it. Twins’ rookie Brady Ober was on the mound, with a 1-0 lead, when the Royals’ CF Jarrod Dyson led off the inning with a single to right. C Cam Gallagher followed with another one-bagger, sending Dyson to second. Next up was SS Nicky Lopez, who tried to bunt the runners along – only to have his bunt caught on the fly by Twins’ 1B Miguel Sano (charging in toward the plate). With the runners moving, Sano tossed to SS Andrelton Simmons to double off Dyson, who then threw to second baseman Nick Gordon (who had moved to cover first as Sano charged the bunt attempt) to retire Gallagher for the final out.

On June 17, in an 8-4 win over the Blue Jays in Toronto, the Yankees turned an unusual triple play– going pitcher  to first base to shortstop to catcher to third base to shortstop. It happened in the bottom of the first inning, like this:

  1. Blue Jays’ 2B Marcus Semien opened the inning by drawing a five-pitch walk.
  2. SS Bo Bichette followed with a single.
  3. A Michael King wild pitch moved the runners up to second and third.
  4. DH Vlad Guerrero, Jr. tapped back to the Yankee pitcher (King), who threw to first baseman D.J. LeMahieu for the first out.
  5. LeMahieu then threw to shortstop Gleyber Torres covering second, with both runners trapped off base.
  6. Torres threw to catcher Gary Sanchez, who then threw to third baseman Gio Urshela – who tagged Semien between third and home.
  7. In the meantime, Bichette was trying for third and Torres was moving over to cover the bag.
  8. Urshela threw to Torres, who tagged a sliding Bichette for the third out.

On June 20, the Yankees turned their second triple play of June – and third of the season – and it was a game-ender and game-saver. It came in the top of the ninth with the Yankees holding on to a 2-1 lead over the A’s in New York – and it was a bit more traditional than the play on the 17th. Yankee closer Aroldis Chapman came on to open the ninth and walked A’s 2B Jed L0wrie and LF Tony Kemp on nine pitches.  Chapman fell behind C Sean Murphy 1-0 (and, at that time had thrown only one strike in ten pitches) and then  Murphy hit a sharp grounder to Gio Urshela at third base. Urshela tagged the bag for out number-one and relayed the ball to DJ LeMahieu covering second (for out number-two), who made the throw to Chris Gitten at first for the final out of the 2-1 victory.

Collecting Number 1,000

On June 14, Oakland DH Mitch Moreland rapped a one-out single to left on a 2-2 pitch from the Angels’ Sean Manaea in the  bottom of the second inning and came around to score on a Juan Lagares home run.  The hit gave the A’s a 2-1 lead in a game they would win 8-5. The hit was also the 1,000th safety of Moreland’s 12-season MLB career. Moreland didn’t stay on 1,000 for long,  In  the very next inning, he rapped a two-run single through the infield for number 1.001. Moreland is in his 12th MLB season – and ended June with a .252-182-610 stat line – and 1,0004 hits.

Astros Flying High – and So Is The Baseball

On June 17, as the Astros topped the White Sox 10-2 in Houston, 2B Jose Altuve, LF Michael Brantley and 3B Abraham Toro all went deep.  It marked an MLB record-tying ten consecutive multi-homer games for the Houston squad.  (The following night the White Sox held the Astros to five hits and no long balls in a 2-1 Astros’ win). During the streak, the Astros hit 26 home runs and won eight of ten games, outscoring their opponents 75-40.  The home runs were hit by:

  • Joe Altuve – 8 HR
  • Chas McCormick – 4
  • Carlos Correa – 2
  • Kyle Tucker – 2
  • Yordan Alvarez – 2
  • Yuli Gurriel – 2
  • Alex Bregman – 1
  • Myles Straw -1
  • Abraham Toro – 1
  • Michael Brantley – 1
  • Martin Maldonado – 1
  • Robel Garcia – 1

History in the Making

Angels’ Pitcher/Designated Hitter Shohei Ohtani seems to be making “making history” a personal trademark. He did it again when he started on the mound against the Giants on June 23 and also batted in the number-two spot in the order,  in another example of “In baseball we count everything,” it marked the first time in an MLB game that an American League team chose not to employ a DH, while a National League team used on. Ohtani got no decision after pitching six one=run innings (six, hits, two walks, nine strikeouts) and went zero-for-three at the plate.

Let’s Get This Party Started

Number-one prospect Wander Franco made his long-awaited MLB debut at 3B for  the Rays on June 22 (if anything can be long awaited when you are just 20-years-old).  Franco showed his “stuff” in the game. Franco went two-for-three (including a double, three-run home run and a walk) and contributed a web gem in the field. Wander made it to the majors after 214 minor league games – during which he hit .332-27-145, with 27 steals.  He is still adjusting to major-league pitching, hitting just .194 in eight June games.

Hold the Fireworks

Om June 23, the Angels were down 2-1 to the Giants  in the bottom of the twelfth inning (n Anaheim), when the “placed” runner (SS Jose Iglesias), moved to third on a (LF) Griffin Cannon bunt and scored on a CF Juan Lagares’ single (tying the game at two).  Lagares then went to third on a single 2B David Fletcher and dashed home on a grounder to 1B by RF Luis Rengifo.  Shortly after  Iglesias slid across the plate, fireworks filled the sky and “Angels Win”  flashed brightly across the video boards. Oops! A review of the play showed that Giants’ C Buster Posey had put the tag on Lagares before he crossed the plate.  Back to your seats everyone. Angels’ P Dylan Bundy fanned to end the inning – and the game went on.

The Giant added insult to injury by plating seven runs in the top of the thirteenth and “coasting” to a 9-3 win.

Redemption

On June 23, Giants’ LF Michael Tauchman came very close to etching his way into the MLB records. He fell just a bit short, but he probably considered that a sort of redemption.  Here’s how his day went – as the Giants topped the Rangers 9-3 in 13 innings:

  • Second Inning – Strikeout looking on a 3-2 pitch.
  • Fifth inning, strikeout swinging on a 2-2 pitch.
  • Seventh Innings – (Things go a little worse) – Strikeout swinging on three pitches.
  • Ninth Inning – Strikeout swinging on three pitches.
  • Eleventh Inning – Strikeout swinging on a 1-2 pitch.

When Tauchman came up again with two outs and two on in the 13th inning, he was just one whiff from tying the MLB record for strikeouts by a batter in a game (of any length). Further, a whiff would give him a six-strikeout game in the fewest innings of any batter ever.  Ultimately, he came within one strike of the record, but on a 2-2 pitch from reliever Junior Guerra, Tauchman launched a three-run homer to deep right-center. Tauchman, by the way, had come into the game hitting just .174, with 47 strikeouts in 167 plate appearances (57 games).

No, No! Not Another N0-NO

On June 24, when the Chicago Cubs no-hit the Dodgers 4-0 in Los Angeles,  it marked  the seventh no-hitter of the 2021 season, tying the modern era (since 1900) single-season record for no-hit games. Note:  There were seven no hitters thrown in 1990, 1991, 2012 and 2015 – and eight in 1884.   It was also this season’s first combined no-hitter, with Zach Davies starting  for the Cubs and going six innings, followed by Ryan Tepera (one inning); Andrew Chafin (one inning); and closer Craig Kimbrel (one inning). For more on this game, and other combined no hitter, click here.

Whiff N’Poof

On June 25, in the first game of a doubleheader against the Mets in New York, Phillies’ right-hander Aaron Nola did something that Walter Johnson, Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax, Bob Feller and more never  did.  In fact, he did something that has only been done once on an MLB field – and that was back in 1970 by Hall of Famer Tom Seaver. Nola fanned ten consecutive  hitters in an MLB game, starting with the third batter in the first inning and stretching to the second batter in the fourth.  Notably, the first two Mets’ hitters of the contest gave no indication that Nola was about to start on his historic streak. Mets’ leadoff hitter 2B Jeff McNeil was hit by Nola’s second pitch of the game and two pitches later SS Francisco Lind0r lined a double to left (McNeil going to third).  Then this sequence of outcomes occurred:

  • RF Michael Conforto, strikeout swinging on a 1-2 curve.
  • 1B Pete Alonso, strikeout swinging on a 2-2 curve.
  • LF Dominic Smith, strikeout looking on an 0-2 sinker.
  • C James McCann, strikeout looking on a 1-2 sinker.
  • CF Kevin Pillar, strikeout swinging on a 1-2 change up.
  • 3B Luis Guiillorme, strikeout swinging on a 3-2 curve.
  • P Taijuan Walker, strikeout looking on a 3-2 fastball.
  • 2B McNeil, strikeout swinging on a 1-2 sinker.
  • SS Francisco Lindor, strikeout swinging on an 0-2 curve.
  • Conforto, strikeout swinging on a 2-2 change up.
  • Alonso breaks the streak with a double to left.

Overall, Nola used 46 pitched to log his ten strikeouts.  Only two players pushed him to six pitches in their at bats: number-eight hitter 3B Luis Guillorme and number-nine hitter P Taijuan Walker.

Nola, by the way, went 5 1/3 innings, giving up two hits and no runs, while walking 1 and fanning 12. He left with a 1-0 lead, but got no decision as the Mets won 2-1 in eight.

What Took You So Long?

On June 26, the Diamondbacks topped the Padres 10-1 in San Diego.  It was their first win on the road in more than two months (since April 25) and ended their MLB record 24-game road losing streak.

A Sticky Situation

On June 27, Mariner’s southpaw Hector Santiago became the first pitcher ejected  (and have his glove confiscated) for the use of an illegal, grip-enhancing substance since MLB instituted mandatory umpire checks for the dreaded sticky substances. Santiago has since received a ten-game suspension, which he said he will appeal.

Baseball Roundtable Extra – Happy Birthday to Me

On June 29, Jose Miranda, just called up from Class AA Wichita to the Twins’ AAA squad in Saint Paul, started his first Triple A game – on his 23rd birthday.  Miranda, who had been hitting .345, with 13 home runs and 38 RBI (47 games) at Wichita, certainly knew how to celebrate. In his first Triple A game, he went five-for-six, with three home runs, a double, four runs scored and six RBI – as the St. Paul Saints toppled the Omaha Storm Chasers 15-4 in St. Paul.  Happy Birthday Jose – and welcome to Triple A.

I get By with a Little Help from My Friends

On June 29, the Padres were taking on the Reds in Cincinnati, with Blake Snell slated to start on the bump for the Friars. Oops! Snell took ill and that opened the door to a true “bullpen game.” The Padres pretty much emptied the pen, using eight pitchers to defeat the Reds 5-4. No pitcher tossed more than two innings. Craig Stammen started (his first start since 2018) and went two frames.  Then Nick Ramirez came on for another two innings. Each gave  up three hits and one run. They were followed in succession by Nabil Crismatt (1/3 inning); Austin Adams (2/3 inning); Pierre Johnson (one inning); Drew Pomeranz (one inning); Emilio Pagan (one inning, for the win); and closer Mark Melancon (one inning, for the save.). Reds’ rookie starter Tony Santillan lasted just three frames  (six hits, two walks, three runs, two earned.)  He was followed by seven relievers – putting the game total of pitchers at sixteen.

Sixteen Pitchers … That’s Nothing!

On September 24, 2019, the Rockies topped the Giants 8-5 in sixteen innings (in San Francisco).  The two teams used a record 25 pitchers in the contest – 12 by the Rockies and 13 by the Giants (despite the fact that starter Madison Bumgarner went seven frames). This in contrast to the May 1 1920  26-inning game between the Brooklyn Robins (Dodgers) and Boston Braces, when both starters  (Leon Cadore, Brooklyn and Joe Oeschger, Boston) went the full 26 innings as the tam played to a 101 ties.

A Good Way to End the Month

On June 30, Nationals’ SS put an exclamation point on the month of June. He went four-for-four – with a single in the first inning,a double in the third, a home run in the fourth and a triple in the sixth.  In the process, he became just the fifth MLB player to hit for the cycle three times in their career.  The Nationals, by the way, won the contest 15-6.  As of June 30, Turner’s stat line was .318-14-38, with a league=leading 18 steals.

——-Individual Statistical Leaders for June ——-—

AVERAGE (75 June  at bats minimum)

National League – Bryan Reynolds, Pirates (.376); Raimel Tapia, Rockies (.345); Trea Turner, Nationals (.345)

American League –  Michael Brantley, Astros (.410); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (.380); Nelson Cruz, Twins (.380)

HOME RUNS

National League – Kyle Schwarber, Nationals (16); Fernando Tatis, Jr,, Padres (10); Adam Duvall, Marlins (9)

American League –  Shohei Ohtani, Angels (13); Jonathan Schoop, Tigers (10); Jose Altuve, Astros (10); Vlad Guerrero, Blue Jays (10); Joey Gallo, Rangers (10)

The Rockies’ Raimel Tapia had the second-most at bats in June (113) and the second-most hits (39), but not a single home run (.345-0-12, with 26 runs scored and six steals for the month). 

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – Kyle Schwarber, Nationals (30); Ozzie Albies, Braves (29); Adam Duvall, Marlins (23)

American League – Jonathon Schoop, Tigers (27); Ryan Mountcastle, Orioles (26); Vlad Guerrero, Jr. , Blue Jays (24); Yordan Alvarez, Astros (24)

The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani had the highest slugging percentage (among players with at least 75 June at bats) at  .889. Kyle Schwarber of the Nats led the NL at .760.

HITS

National League – Raimel Tapia, Rockies (39);  Trea Turner, Nationals (39); Ozzie Albies, Braves (36)

American League – Whit Merrifield, Royals (40); Cedric Mullin, Orioles (38); J.P. Crawford, Mariners (38)

DOUBLES

National League –  Raimel Tapia, Rockies (15); Nick Castellanos, Res (12); Ronald Acuna, Jr. Braves (10); Ozzie Albies, Braves (10)

American League – Xander Bogaerts, Reds Sox (10); Elvis Andrus, A’s (10); J.P. Crawford, Mariners (10)

TRIPLES

National League – Sergio Alcantara (Cubs 3); many with two

American League –Luis Arreaz, Twins (3); many  with two

The Blue Jays’ Vlad Guerrero, Jr. led all batters (with at least 75 June at bats) in on-base percentage for the month at .465.

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Ronald Acuna, Jr. Braves (10): Starling Marte, Marlins (9); Ozzie Albies, Braves (8)

American League –Cedric Mullins, Orioles (7); Whit Merrifield, Royals (7); Myles Straw, Astros (6) .

Whit Merrifield and Cedric Mullins were each seven-for-seven in May steal attempts.

WALKS

National League – Christian Yelich, Brewers (25); Abraham Almonte (Braves 20); Jonathon India, Reds (19); Juan Soto, Nationals (19)

American League –  Jose Altuve, Astros (24); Joey Gallo, Rangers (23); Carlos Correa, Astros (19); Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees (19)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Javier Baez, Cubs (37); Ronald Acuna, Jr. (36); Ryan McMahon, Rockies (36)

American League – Jared Walsh, Angels (40);Kyle Seager, Mariners (39); Bobby Dalbec, Red Sox (32)

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League – Kyle Hendricks, Cubs (5-0); Walker Buehler, Dodgers (5-1); Devon Williams, Brewers (4-1); German Marquez (4-1); Anthony DeSclafani, Giants (4-1); Dylan Cease, White Sox (4-2)

American League – Chris Bassitt, A’s (4-0); Framber Valdez, Astros (4-1); Robbie Ray, Blue Jays (4-1); Dylan Cease, White Sox (4-2)

The Diamondbacks Matt Peacock (0-5) and Cardinals’ Carlos Martinez (1-5) had the most June losses.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (at least 25 innings pitched)

National League – Jacob deGrom, Mets (0.67); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (1.44); Anthony DeSclafani, Giants (1.69)

American League – Sean Manaea, A’s (1.13); Kyle Gibs0n, Rangers (1.52); Framber Valdez, Astros (2.10)

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (47 / 32 IP); Aaron Nola, Phillies (42 / 30 IP); Tyler Mahle, Reds (41 / 29 IP); Trevor Bauer, Dodgers (41 / 31 1.3 IP)

American League – Robbie Ray, Blue Jays (53 / 34 2/3 IP); Nick Pivetta, Red Sox (40 / 31 2/3 IP); Dylan Cease, White Sox (37 / 30 1/3 IP)

SAVES

National League – Brad Hand, Nationals (10); Craig Kimbrel, Cubs (8); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (8); Josh Hader, Brewers (8); Edwin Diaz, Mets (8); Mark Melancon, Padres (8)

American League: Liam Hendriks, White Sox (8):  Matt Barnes, Red Sox (6); Lou Trivino, A’s (6)

Brad Hand was 10-for-10 in save opportunities in June. 

 

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If the season ended June 30, your playoff teams would be:

American: Red Sox, White Sox, Astros.  Wild Cards: -A’s, Rays

National: Mets, Brewers, Giants;  Wild Cards; Dodgers, Padres

——Team  Statistical Leaders through  June ——-—

RUNS SCORED (average 355)

National League –  Dodgers (402); Reds (393); Giants (385)

American League – Astros (454); Red Sox (410); Blue Jays (403)

Four teams averaged five or more runs per game through June: Astros (5.60); Blue Jays (5.17); Red Sox (5.06); and Dodgers (5.03). The Pirates averaged the fewest runs per game through June at 3.51.

AVERAGE (average .239)

National League – Nationals (.252); Reds (.249); Rockies (.245)

American League – Astros (.276); Blue Jays (.266); Red Sox (.260)

The lowest team average through June belonged to the Brewers and Mariners  both  at .216).

HOME RUNS (average 94)

National League – Giants (116); Braves (114); Cubs (107)

American League –  Blue Jays (117); Twins (115); Angels (110)

The Pirates had the fewest home runs through June  at 59. No other team was under 71.

STOLEN BASES (average 36)

National League – Padres (74);  Marlins (51); Phillies (46)

American League – Rays (55); Royals (53); Tigers (50)

The Yankees stole the fewest sacks through June at 17 (in 21 attempts).

WALKS DRAWN (average 265)

National League – Dodgers (346); Padres (319); Brewers (303)

American League – Yankees (326); Rays (315); Astros (307)

The Astros  led MLB  in on-base percentage through  June at .351. The Dodgers led the NL at .336. In slugging percentage, the Blue Jays were also on top at .453, while the Giants  led the NL at .429.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS (average 702)

National League – Brewers (790); Cubs (787); Marlins (763)

American League – Rays (877); Tigers (799); Mariners (780))

Astros’ batters went down on strikes the fewest times through June (592).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (average 4.16)

National League – Dodgers (3.19); Giants (3.21); Padres (3.24)

American League – White Sox (3.47); Rays (3.54); Astros (3.68)

Four teams had ERA’s through June at 5.00  or higher– Orioles (5.44); Diamondbacks (5.28); Angels (5.04); and Twins (5.00).  Side note: You don’t want to be a hitter in the NL West.  The three teams with the lowest ERA’s through June were the Dodgers, Giants and Padres.

STRIKEOUTS (average 690)

National League – Brewers (841); Padres (817); Dodgers (816)

American League – White Sox (776); Angels (775); Rays (767)

The Brewers  averaged an MLB-best 10.4 strikeouts per nine innings through June. The White Sox led the AL at 10.3.  Eighteen  teams average at least one whiff per inning.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED (average 265)

National League – Giants (206); Mets (220); Marlins (235)

American League – A’s (220); Yankees (226); Rays (226)

The Giants’  2.4 walks per nine innings through June were MLB’s lowest.  The Cardinals staff walked an MLB-high 4.5 per nine frames through June.

SAVES (average 19)

National League – Padres (29); Giants (28); Dodgers (28)

American League – Red Sox (26); Rays (23); White Sox (23)

No staffs surrendered more home runs through June than the Orioles and Twins at 121. At the other end of the spectrum Marlins’ pitchers had given up an MLB-low 63 dingers. .

 

——-Individual Statistical Leaders through June 30———-

 

BATTING AVERAGE (qualifying players – 3.1 at plate appearance for each team game played)

National League – Nick Castellanos, Reds (.346); Adam Frazier, Pirates (.327); Jesse Winker, Reds (.325)

American League – Michael Brantley, Astros (340);  Vlad Guerrero, Jr. , Blue Jays (.339); Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (.330)

The lowest average through June  (among qualifiers) belonged to the Brewers’ Jackie Bradley at .165 (33-for-231).

HOME RUNS

National League – Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (26); Kyle Schwarber, Nationals (25); Ronald Acuna, He. Braves (22)

American League –  Shohei Ohtani, Angels (28); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (26); Adolis Garcia, Rangers (20): Matt Olson, A’s (20)

No player had more at bats without a long ball through June than Angels’ 2B David Fletcher – .288-0-24 in 292 at bats.

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – Ozzie Albies, Braves (56); Adam Duvall, Marlins (56); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (56)

American League – Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (66); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (64); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (63)

The Padres Fernando Tatis, Jr.  had the highest slugging percentage (among qualifiers)) through  June  at .705.  The only other players at even .600+ were Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (.685); Blue Jays’ Vlad Guerrero, Jr. (.675); Reds’ Nick Castellanos (.607); and Braves ‘Ronald Acuna, Jr. (601)

HITS

National League – Nick Castellanos, Reds (102); Adam Frazier, Pirates (100); Trea Turner, Nationals  (100)

American League – Cedric Mullins, Orioles (99); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (96); Xander Bogaerts,. Red Sox (94)

DOUBLES

National League –  Nick Castellanos, Reds (27): Nolan Arenado, Cardinals (24); Adam Frazier, Pirates (24)

American League – Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (24); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (24); Michael Brantley, Astros (22); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (22)

The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani had the most extra-base hits through June (49). The Reds’ Nick Castellanos led the NL (44).

TRIPLES

National League – Ozzie Albies, Braves (5); Dave Peralta, D-backs (5); Garrett Hampson, Rockies (5)

American League –Luis Arraez, Twins (4); Akil Baddoo, Tigers (4); Mark Canha, A’s (4); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (4); Amed Rosario, Indians (4); Nick Madrigal, White Sox (4)

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Trea Turner, Nationals (18); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (12); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (16); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (16)

American League –Whit Merrifield, Royals (22); Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Rangers (15); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (15)

The most stolen bases without being thrown out through June was 12  by the Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette.  MLB SB leader Whit Merrifield (Royals) was 22-for-23 in steal attempts.

WALKS

National League – Max Muncy, Dodgers (52); Freddie Freeman, Braves (48); Juan Soto, Nationals (48)

American League – Joey Gallo, Rangers (62); Yasmani Grandl, White Sox (59); Carlos Santana, Royals (52)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Javier Baez, Cubs (107); Eugenio Suarez, Reds (99); Dansby Swanson, Braves (90)

American League – Matt Chapman, A’s (100); Joey Gallo, Rangers (98); Brandon Lowe, Rays (97)

Only one player in the top 25 in strikeouts has fewer than ten home runs through June. The Royals’ Michael Taylor has 84 whiffs (fifteenth in MLB) to go with a .237-7-29 line.

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League –Kyle Hendricks, Cubs (10-4); Julio Urias, Dodgers (9-3); Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (9-7)

American League – Aaron Civale, Indians (10-2); Chris Bassitt, A’s (9-2); Zack Greinke,  Astros (8-2);  Gerrit Cole, Yankees (8-4); Nathan Eovaldi, Red Sox (8-4)

The Reds’ Luis Castillo (3-10, 5.14) and Orioles’ Jorge Lopez (2-10, 5.92) tied for had the most losses through June.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (qualifying players … at least one inning pitch for each team game played)

National League – Jacob deGrom, Mets (0.69); Kevin Gausman, Giants (1.68); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (1.87)

American League – Kyle Gibson, Rangers (2.00); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (2.66); Tyler Glasnow, Rays (2.66)

If you are looking for the likes of The White Sox‘ Lance Lynn or Carlos Rodon (both at 2.06), they are each 1/3 inning short of qualifying (78 2/3 IP, with the White Sox having played 79 games). The highest ERA among qualifiers through June belonged to the Royals’ Brad Keller (6-8, 6.67).

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Trevor Bauer, Dodgers (137 / 7107 2/3 IP); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (130  / 106 1/3);  Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (124 / 102 1/3 IP)

American League – Shane Bieber, Indians (130 / 90 2/3 IP); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (129 / 101 2/3 IP); Tyler Glasnow, Rays (123 / 88 IP)

Among qualifying pitchers, the Metes’ Jacob deGrom had the best strikeouts/nine innings ratio through May at 14.08. Carlos Rodon of the White Sox r led the AL at 12.93.

Among qualifying pitchers,  deGrom also had the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 11.09. No other qualifiers even reached 8.0.  deGrom also led in strikeout per nine innings at 14.08, with no other qualifier reaching 13.

SAVES

National League – Mark Melancon, Padres (25); Craig Kimbrel, Cubs (20);  Josh Hader, Brewers (20); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (20); Alex Reyes, Cardinals (20)

American League: Liam Hendriks, White Sox (21):  Matt Barnes, Red Sox (18);  Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (16)

The Brewers’ Josh Hader  has the most saves of any pitcher without a blown save (20 saves in 20 opportunities).

Primary Resources:  MLB.com; Baseball-Reference.com

 

Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer:  The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change as Major League Baseball recognizes and incorporates Negro League records from 1920-46 into the MLB record book.

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100Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs.  To see the full list, click here.

I tweet baseball @DavidBaseballRT

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); The Baseball Reliquary; The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.

 

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts, News

Baseball Roundtable Looks at MLB’s Combined No-Hitters

June 25, 2021 by

Yesterday (June 24, 2021), the Chicago Cubs no-hit the Dodgers 4-0 in Los Angeles.  Zach Davies started for the Cubs and went six innings, walking five and fanning four. He was followed by Ryan Tepera (one inning, one walk); Andrew Chafin (one inning, one walk); and closer Craig Kimbrel (one inning, one walk, three strikeouts). That these three should close out a no-no is no surprise, coming into the game their earned run averages, respectively, were 2.02, 1.72 and 0.61.

How the Game Has Changed

Yesterday, Zach Davies was pulled after six no-hit innings and just 94 pitches and Boston’s Nick Pivetta was yanked after 6 2/3 no-hit frames and 100 pitches. 

It was the seventh no-hitter of the 2021 season, tying the modern-era (since 1900) single-season record for no-hit games in a season and was the sixth no-hitter thrown on the road this season (also an MLB single-season record – although 2021 already had the record at five). Note:  There were seven MLB no-hitters thrown in 1990, 1991, 2012 and 2015 – and eight in 1884.

More Proof of that “In Baseball, We Count Everything.”

STATS, Inc. reported that this was the first no-hitter thrown against a lineup with three former MVP’s (Mookie Betts, Al Pujols, Cody Bellinger).

Now, a look at the other fourteen MLB combined no-hitters and the circumstances that made many of them unique.

The First-Ever Combined No-Hitter – This took place on June 23, 1917 – with the Red Sox topping the Senators 4-0 in Boston. This game is special for several reasons: it was the first MLB combined no-hitter; Babe Ruth was involved;  it involved the most meager contribution by the starting pitcher (zero innings pitched); and, finally, it is arguably the most “perfect” combined no-hitter ever.

Babe Ruth, at that time plying his trade as a left-handed starting pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, opened the game by walking Washington’s lead-off hitter Roy Morgan.  Ruth, and his catcher Pinch Thomas, took issue with umpire Brick Owens’ strike zone and, during the argument, Ruth made contact with the umpire (a glancing blow, it was reported).  The ultimate result of the confrontation was the ejection of both Ruth and Thomas (with Ruth earning a $100 fine and ten-game suspension).  Red Sox’ pitcher Ernie Shore was called in to replace Ruth and Sam Agnew took Thomas’ spot behind the plate. Morgan decided to test Agnew’s arm and was thrown out stealing, after which Shore retired the next 26 hitters in order – completing the first combined no-hitter within the minimum 27 total batters.

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Second Combined No-Hitter … A Long Time A-comin’ – Given the past propensity for pitchers finishing what they started, MLB’s second combined no-hitter came 50 seasons and 70 no-hitters later – on April 30, 1967, with the Tigers defeating the Orioles 2-1 in Baltimore.  This combined no-hitter is unique because:

  • It was not a “no- no” (no hits – no runs)
  • The team that threw the no-hitter lost (the only combined no-hitter loss); and
  • It involved the briefest contribution by the relief staff (one pitcher/one-third inning pitched).

Orioles’ starter Steve Barber and was effectively wild, walking ten hitters and hitting two in 8 2/3 innings. The opposing hurler was Detroit’s Earl Wilson – who matched goose eggs with Barber for seven innings. In the eighth, Baltimore pushed across a run on three walks and a sacrifice fly (Wilson gave up only two hits and four walks in his eight innings of work) and victory was there if Barber could take it. He didn’t.  Barber walked Tigers’ 1B Norm Cash to start the ninth. He then walked SS Ray Oyler. Earl Wilson, a good-hitting pitcher, bunted the runners to second and third, before Barber got the second out of the inning, inducing PH Willie Horton to pop up to the catcher.  Now, just one out away from a 1-0, no-hit win, Barber uncorked a wild pitch that brought the tying run home. He then walked CF Mickey Stanley, ending his day on the mound. Stu Miller came in to get the final out, but not until an error allowed the go-ahead run to score.

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Combined No-Hitter Number Three … At the Last Possible Moment – This no-hitter came on September 28, 1975, with the A’s topping the Angels 5-0 in Oakland.  This game was unique in that:

  • It is one of only three no-hitters thrown on the final day of an MLB season;
  • It made starting pitcher Vida Blue the first hurler to take part in both a solo and combined no-hitter. (Blue had thrown a solo no-hitter on September 21, 1970.); and
  • It was the first time more than two pitchers were involved in a combined no-hitter.

Blue went five innings  (two walks, two strikeouts) and was followed by Glenn Abbott (one inning,), Paul Lindblad (one inning, one whiff) and Rollie Fingers (two innings, two strikeouts). Note: Blue has been joined by Kevin Millwood, Kent Mercker and Mike Witt as pitchers with both solo and combined no-hitters.)

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Combined No-Hitter Number Four – The next combined no-hitter went back to the two-pitcher formula, as Blue Moon Odom (five innings, nine walks, three strikeouts) and Francisco Barrios (four innings, two walks, two strikeouts) of the White Sox topped the A’s 2-1 in Oakland.  In the July 28, 1976 game, Blue walked seven different players at least once in his five innings of work.

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Combined No-hitter Number Five –  MLB’s fifth combined no-hitter came on April 11, 1990 (again just two pitchers), with the Angels topping the Mariners 1-0 in Anaheim.  Mark Langston started the game and went seven (four walk, three strikeouts), and Mike Witt (the only pitcher to throw a perfect game – September 30, 1984 – and take part in a combined no-hitter ) threw the final two (two strikeouts.)

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1991 – The First “Year of the Combined No-No’s” (plural that is)

1991 saw seven MLB no-hitters including two combined no-nos. On July 13, the Orioles no-hit the A’s 2-0 in Oakland behind Bob Milacki (who threw six no-hit innings – three walks/three whiffs) and was pulled after being hit by a Willie Wilson line drive. Mike Flanagan (one inning, one walk), Mark Williamson (one inning) and Gregg Olson (one inning, two strikeouts) finished up the no-no.

Then, on September 11, the Braves no-hit the Padres 1-0 in Atlanta, led by Kent Mercker (six innings, two walks, six strikeouts), Mark Wohlers (two innings) and Alejandro Pena (one inning).  Greg Harris, who started for the Padres, threw a complete-game seven-hitter.

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Combined No-Hitter Number Eight … Working Overtime – Combined no-hitter number eight came on July 12, 1997 – with the Pirates topping the Astros 3-0 in Pittsburgh.  It was unique in that it was:

  • The only extra-inning combined “no-no;” and
  • Made Francisco Cordova the (still) only  pitcher to start a combined no-hitter by pitching nine full innings.

Francisco Cordova started and went nine hitless frames (two walks, ten whiffs) and Ricardo Rincon threw one hitless inning in relief (for the win).

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Combined No-Hitter Number Nine … Nearly the Whole Bullpen – The next combined no-hitter was a record breaker – as the then-National League Astros used a record six pitchers (since tied) to no-hit the Yankees 8-0 in an inter-league game at Yankee Stadium (the last no-hitter at Old Yankee Stadium). on June 11, 2003. Roy Oswalt started, but succumbed to a groin injury after just one completed inning (two strikeouts). Joining in the no-hitter were: Pete Munro (2 2/3 innings, three walks, two strikeouts ); Kirk Saarlos (1 1/3 innings, one strikeout); Brad Lidge (two innings, two strikeouts); Octavio Dotel (one inning, four strikeouts); and Billy Wagner (one inning, two whiffs). Notably, the no-hitter also broke up the Yankee’s record streak of 6,980 games without being held hitless. They had not been held without a safety since September 20, 1958.  The five relievers combined for eight innings pitched, with three walks and 11 strikeouts.

Four Whiffs – One Inning

In the eighth inning of this game, Octavio Dotel recorded a four-whiff frame. He struck out Juan Rivera and Alfonso Soriano on three pitches each; fanned Derek Jeter on a 3-2 pitch only to see him awarded first base on catcher’s interference; and then got Jason Giambi on a 2-2 pitch.  All four were swinging strikeouts. 

Combined No-Hitter Number Ten – Evening Up the Score – The very next combined no-hitter – another inter-league game – saw the six-pitcher record tied, as the Mariners topped the Dodgers 1-0 in Seattle on June 8, 2012.  In addition, the AL evened up the score in combined inter-league no-hitters at one apiece. Kevin Millwood started that one (six innings, one walk, six strikeouts), followed by Charlie Furbush (2/3 inning, one strikeout), Stephen Pryor (1/3 inning, two walks, one strikeout), Lucas Luetge (1/3 inning), Brandon League (2/3 inning, one strikeout) and Tom Wilhelmsen (one inning).

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Combined No-Hitter Number 11 – On September 1, 2014, the Phillies used four pitchers to no-hit the Braves 7-0 in Atlanta.  The pitchers involved were Cole Hamels, who started and went six innings (issuing five walks versus seven strikeouts); Jake Diekman (one inning, two strikeouts); Ken Giles (one inning, three strikeouts); and Jonathan Papelbon (one inning, no strikeouts).

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Combined No-Hitter Number 12 … On New Turf – This one took place on May 4, 2018, as the Dodgers no-hit the Padres 4-0 in a regular-season MLB game played in Monterrey Mexico – the first official MLB no-hitter ever thrown outside the United State or Canada.

Right-hander Walker Buehler started for the Dodgers, and the 23-year-old – making just his third major league start (11th appearance) – went six innings (93 pitches), walking three and fanning eight.  He was followed by relievers Tony Cingrani (one inning, two walks, one whiff); Yimi Garcia (one inning, no walks, two strikeouts) and Adam Libertore (one inning, no walks, two strikeouts).  Buehler, by the way, also collected an unusual sixth-inning single – as his groundball hit base runner Alex Verdugo between first and second, resulting in Verdugo being called out (for the final out of the inning) and Buehler being credited with a single. That single, of course, meant Buehler outhit the entire Padres’ lineup.

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Combined No-hitter number 13 … A Lucky Number – Thirteen was a lucky number for the Angels.  On July 12, 2019, their staff put together MLB’s 13th combined no-hitter and their offense scored 13 runs on 13 hits. Taylor Cole started the game (in the “opener” role) and pitched two clean frames with two strikeouts.  Felix Pena the came on for the Halos and went seven innings (one walk, six strikeouts).

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Combined No Hitter Number 14 … An Unlikely Starter –  On August 3, 2019, four Astros’ pitcher no-hit the Mariners 9-0 in Houston. Starting pitcher Aaron Sanchez seemed an unlikely hurler to start off a no-no – he came into the game with a 3-14, 6.07 record in 23 starts (with batters hitting .290 against him – a .382 on-base percentage. Sanchez shut down the  Astros, walking two and fanning six over six no-hit innings, then giving way to Will Harris (one inning pitched, one walk); Joe Biagini (one inning pitched, one walk, one whiff); and Chris Devinski (one inning pitched, one strikeout).

It was, notably, the first appearance for the Astros for both Sanchez and Biagini – both had been included in a Blue Jays/Astros trade on July 31 (Sanchez, Biagini and minor-leaguer Cal Stevenson for OF Derek Fisher).  Thanks to this effort, 2019 became just the second season with two combined no-hitters.

Primary Resources:  Baseball-Reference,com; MLB.com

Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer:  The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change as Major League Baseball recognizes and incorporates Negro League records from 1920-46 into the MLB record book.

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Ryan Zimmerman’s Tough Day at the Office … and Other Runners Left on Base Records

June 24, 2021 by

In this post, Baseball Roundtable will take a look at a handful of players who had a tough day at the old ballpark – each leaving at least a dozen runners on base during their plate appearances. Notably, only six players belong to this MLB “Club” – and three of them had their dismal days for the Red Sox (Dustin Pedroia, Trot Nixon, David Ortiz), while only two “accomplished” the feat in just nine innings (Glenn Beckert and Todd Helton).

Ryan Zimmerman – MLB Record for Runners Left On Base in a Game (any length).

Photo: All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

On May 8, 2016, Nationals’ Ryan Zimmerman was playing first base and batting cleanup as Washington took on the Cubs in Chicago. He  came into the game hitting  .242, with one home run and 11 RBI – and was about to have one of the most frustrating Sunday afternoons  at the plate ever.  He would go one-for-seven, with one RBI – as the Nationals fell to the Cubs 5-4 in 13 innings.  That doesn’t sound too bad on the surface, but in the process, Zimmerman:

  • Set the MLB individual player record for men left on base in a game – leaving 14 ducks on the pond;
  • Left eight runners in scoring position;
  • Made the final out with the bases loaded in three separate innings (twice in extra frames) – each time having his out preceded by an intentional walk.

Here’s how Zimmerman afternoon at Wrigley went:

First Inning – Strikeout (looking) on three pitches with runners on first and second.

Third Inning – RBI double past third base to give the Nationals a 1-0 lead. (Looking like an okay day so far).

Fourth Inning – Swinging strikeout on five pitches to end the inning with the bases loaded (after an intentional walk to Bryce Harper). The Nationals were up 2-0 at the time.

Sixth Inning – Fly out to RF, with runners on first and second, one out and Nationals up 3-1.

Eighth Inning – Ground out to 1B to end the inning, with a runner on first base.

Tenth Inning – Fly out to CF to end the inning, with bases loaded (after an intentional walk to Bryce Harper).

Twelfth Inning –  Ground out to 3B to end the inning, with the bases loaded (after an intentional walk to Bryce Harper.)

Zimmerman ended the 2016 season with a .218-16-46 stat line.  Still active, he is in his 16th MLB season.  As of June 24, 2021, he had a .279 career average, with 278 home runs and 1.035 RBI. He is a two-time All Star, whose best season came in 2017, when he went .303-36-108.

It’s a Red Sox Ting

Baseball Almanac lists just three American League Players as having left 12 or more runners on bases in a single game – and they were all members of the Boston Red Sox – Dustin Pedroia (13 LOB on September 15, 2017 – setting a new AL record); David Ortiz (12 on May 14, 2009 – tying the then American League and MLB record); Trot Nixon (12 on June 12, 2003 – at the time, setting an AL mark and tying the MLB record).

Dustin Pedroia – AL Record Holder for Runner LOB in a Game.

Photo: Eric Kilby on Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commonsnoto:

Baseball Almanac lists Red Sox’ 2B Dustin Pedroia holding the AL record for runners LOB in a game (13 in a fifteen-inning game on September 15, 2017).  I should note, however, that  I find the record somewhat less than deserved. (I’’ll explain in a bit.) Pedroia started at DH, batting second, in the game. He came into the game hitting .314, with seven home runs and 58 RBI. That day, as the Red Sox topped the Rays 13-6 in Tampa (15 innings), Pedroia went zero-for-nine, with one run scored.  Side note: The game was tied 5-5 at the end of nine, each team was scoreless in innings ten through thirteen, each team scored one run in the fourteenth and the Red Sox put it away with seven runs in the top of the fifteenth.

Here’s a look at Pedroia’s game:

First Inning – Ground out to pitcher with a runner on first (runner went to second).

Third Inning – Fly out to RF  to end the inning with a runner on first and the game knotted at 1-1.

Fifth Inning – Fly out to center to end the inning, with runners on first and third and Boston down 3-2.

Eighth Inning – Fly out to RF leading off the inning.

Ninth Inning – Strikeout with two outs, runners on first and second and the game tied at five apiece.

Eleventh Inning – Line out to SS, with one out and the bases loaded (after an intentional walk to Xander Bogaerts) and the scored tied 5-5.

Thirteenth Inning – Strikeout with one out and a runner on first (5-5 score).

Fifteenth Inning – Safe on an error with no outs and runners on first and second – with the runner on second scoring and the runner on first going to third. (This safe on error put the Red Sox up 7-6).

Side Note:  This is point at which I am not sure about the listing of Pedroia as the record holder with 13 runners left on base. MLB.com’s Glossary lists runners left on base as the number of runners that “remain on base after that batter makes an out at the plate, as the batter has failed to do his job to score those runners – or at least put himself in a position to score.” To reach 13 runners LOB, you have to count the runner on first who went to third (but did not score on the fifteenth-inning error).  Still a run did score and – contrary to the MLB.com description – Pedroia did not “make an out at the plate.”  I think I may have to send this one to Twins’ official scorer and SABR member Stew Thornley.

Fifteenth Inning – Pedroia got a second  plate appearance in the fifteenth (by this time the Red Sox were up 13-6). He grounded out to SS to end the inning, with runners on runners on first and second.

Pedroia ended the 2017 season with a .293-7-62 stat line in 105 games. His career line (14 MLB seasons) was .299-140-725. He was a four-time All Star, four-time Gold Glover, the 2007 AL Rookie of the Year and the 2008 AL Most Valuable Player.

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Now, let’s take a look at the two player who share the record of 12 runners LOB in a nine-inning game.

Glenn Beckert, Cubs – Shares the Record for Runners LOB in a Nine-Inning Game

On September 16, 1972 – as the Cubs pounded the Mets 18-5 in Chicago – Cubs’  hitters had ample opportunity to leave men on base.  And, Glenn Beckert took advantage  of those opportunties, going zero-for-six and leaving 12 runners on base. Beckert, an all Star that season, came into the game hitting .258, with three home runs and 31 RBI.   Here’s how his day went:

First Inning – Ended the inning with a fly out to CF, with the bases loaded and the Cubs up 1-0.

Third Inning – Popped out to the catcher, with runners on second and third, no outs and the Cubs up 4-1.

Third Inning – Beckert came up for a second time in the inning, this time with runners on second and third, two out and the Cubs up 11-1. He flied out to RF to end the inning.

Fifth Inning – Fly out to CF, with one out a runner on first and the Cubs up 13-2.

Seventh Inning – Foul out to 3B, with one out, a runner on third and the Cubs up 13-5.

Seventh Inning – For the second time in the game, Beckert batted twice in an inning. In this plate appearance, he grounded out to end the inning, with the bases loaded and the Cubs up 18-5.

Not much suspense here and the at bats clearly were not critical.  Still, it got Beckert into the record books – albeit not in a way he would have preferred.  Beckert ended the 1972 season at .283-3-43 in 120 games.  Over his 11-season MLB career, he was .283-22=360. Beckert was a four-time All Star and one-time Gold Glover.

Todd Helton – Shares the Record for Runners Left on Base in a Nine-Inning Game.

Unlike Beckert’s 12-LOB game (in which the Cubs didn’t need Beckert’s offense), the Rockies could have used some help from Helton in this one.  It came on April 11, 1998 and Helton’s Rockies lost to the Reds 12-5 Denver.  Helton, on his way to a .315-25-97 season, came into this early season contest with a .306-0-4 stat line.  He was playing 1B and batting third.  Helton ended the day zero-for five with one RBI.  It went like this;

First Inning – Strikeout with one out, runners on second and third and the Rockies already down 5-0.

Second Inning – The Rockies had scored in the inning on a leadoff  home run by Greg Colbrunn and Helton came up with the bases loaded, two outs and Colorado trailing 9-2. Helton lined out to third end the inning.

Fourth Inning – with the Rockies trailing 11-2, Helton drove in a run with a one-out sacrifice fly. Despite the run scoring (from third) a runner on first (of course) did not score – giving Helton one LOB in this plate appearance.

Sixth Inning – Ground out to SS (Fielder’s Choice) with one and runners on first and second. The Rox were down 12-4.

Seventh Inning – With the Rockies down 12-5, Helton flied out to center with the bases full to end the inning

Ninth Inning – Fouled out with a runner of first to end the game.

BBRT Extra … Yanks Strand 20 in Nine Innings

On September 21, 1956, a powerful Yankees squad (Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Bill Skowron, Elston Howard and more) lost to the Red Sox 13-7 in Boston – but it was  not for the lack of scoring “opportunities.”  In the game, the Yankee stranded 20 – still the MLB record for a nine-inning game. Here;s how it went:

  • The Bombers scored three in the top of the first, but left the bases loaded when pitcher Bob Turley grounded out to end the frame);
  • They added one in the second, but left two on as Elston Howard flied out to 2B;
  • Stranded two more in the third (Enos Slaughter ground out to 1B);
  • Scored one in the fourth, but left the bases full (Irv Noren fly out to LF);
  • Left just one on base in the fifth (Yogi Berra ground out to 1B); 
  • Left the bases full again in the sixth (Jerry Lumpe made the final out);
  • Scored two in the seventh, but left two more on base (Jerry Coleman fly out to CF);
  • Left two on the eighth (Norm Siebern strikeout); and
  • Left two more on in the ninth (George Wilson fly out to LF).

Overall, the Yankees outhit the Red Sox 15-14; out-homered them 1-0); and made just one error to the Red Sox’ five – and still lost by six tallies.

Now a look at the other two AL players to leave at least 12 runners on base in a fame. Like AL record holder (at 13) Dustin Pedroia, they both “accomplished” the feat for the Red Sox.

Trot Nixon – an Even Dozen Left on Base – The Record for an Inter-league Game

On June 12, 2003, Trot Nixon started in RF for the Red Sox (batting sixth) as they lost to the Cardinals 8-7 at Fenway. Nixon came into the game hitting .305, with eight homers and 36 RBI in 55 games. He went a respectable 2-7 (both singles) with one RBI – but had many more opportunities to contribute offensively in this one-run loss.

First Inning – Nixon ended the inning with a four-pitch strikeout and the bases loaded. (Game tied 0-0 at this point).

Fourth Inning – Pop out to the catcher, with one out and a runner on first.

Fifth Inning – Nixon ended the inning with a foul pop to 1B, with runners on second and third and the Sox trailing 2-0.

Eighth Inning – Single to LF.

Ninth Inning – Foul pop out to 1B, with one out and the bases loaded (after two intentional walks to set up the double play).  The Sox had scored three in the frame to tie the game at 3-3, the third run scoring on a  Nomar Garciaparra one-out  triple. Manny Ramirez and Bill Millar were then intentionally walked to bring up Nixon, whose pop up was followed by a Bill Mueller fly out to send the game into extra innings.

Tenth Inning – Nixon ended the inning with a ground out to second,with the bases loaded and the game tied at 5-5.  This Nixon out again followed a pair of intentional walks to load the bases.

Thirteenth Inning – RBI single (no outs) to bring the score to 8-6 (the Cards scored three in the top of the inning.)

Nixon ended the season at .306-28=87 and was .274-137-555 in 12 MLB seasons.

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David Ortiz – Another  Dozen Red Sox Left on Base … At Least It wasn’t at Home

On May 14, 2009, David Ortiz started at DH for the Red Sox, batting third, as they faced the Angels in California. Big Papi came into the game hitting just .220, with no home runs and 15 RBI.  He didn’t break his early-season slump. On the day, he:

  • Went zero-for seven;
  • Struck out three times;
  • Made the final out of an inning in five of his seven at bats – all with at least one runner in scoring position, twice with the bases loaded.

Ortiz ended the season at .238-28-99 – a notable off year for Ortiz, who hit .286-541-1,768 in a 20 season MLB career. Ortiz was a ten-time All Star, hit 30+ home runs in ten seasons and drove in 100+ runs ten times.

Here’s how his “May Day” went:

First Inning – Strikeout looking on four pitches with one out and a runner on first.

Fourth Inning – Ended the inning on five-pitch strikeouts (looking) with the bases loaded and Boston training 3-2.

Sixth Inning – Ended the inning, striking out looking on four pitches, with a runner on second and the game tied 3-3.

Eighth Inning – Ended the inning with a fly out to deep LF, with runners on first and third and Boston trailing 4-3.

Tenth Inning – Ended the inning on a ground out to 1B, with a runner on second and the game tied 4-4.

Twelfth Inning – Ended the inning on a ground out in front of the plate (catcher to first bases), with the bases loaded and the game still tied 4-4. The Angels picked up a walk-off win in the bottom of the inning.

BBRT Extra – Old Guys Rule

In 2016, his final season (age 40), David Ortiz hit .315-38-127 in 151 games – leading the AL in RBI and doubles (48).

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.,com; Baseball-Almanac.com.

 

Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer:  The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change as Major League Baseball recognizes and incorporates Negro League records from 1920-46 into the MLB record book.

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Remember that Time in 2002 When There was No DH?

June 23, 2021 by

The 2021 season has been one of streaks.  The Arizona Diamondbacks and Baltimore Orioles have endured, respectively,  a  (recently-ended) 17-game losing streak and a 14-game string of losses.   On the other side of the coin, the Oakland A’s have enjoyed a 13-game winning streak and the Rays have put up an 11-game win string,

Side note:  For those who are interested in such things, the D-backs’  recent losing streak lasted from June 2 through June 20. Over that time, they were outscored 119-64; outhit .297 to .215; and out-homered 29 to 10.  The D-backs staff pitched to a 6.88 ERA, compared to the opponents’’ 3.39 and fanned 125 batters, compared to the opponents’ 152.  The D-backs have also suffered a 13-game losing streak this season and, between May 16 and June 20, lost 31 of 33 games. 

In this post, I’d like to reflect on a 10-day streak from June of 2002.  That streak., the product of inopportune scheduling, ran from June 14 to June 23.  It was a streak during which 134 major-leagues gamers were played – without a single contest taking place in an American League Park.  There were 125 inter-league games and nine all-NL matchups. The NL-had the edge over that ten-day span – winning 67 inter-league matchups to the AL’s 58.

What makes this streak unique (at least in a recent history sense) is that for ten days, not a single designated hitter stepped up to the plate. That got me to thinking about how the pitchers from the two leagues matched up – not on the mound, but at the plate.  AL pitchers, it turned out, made it to the plate more often than their NL counterparts (2.4 plate appearances per game to 2.0).  The stats are in the chart below, but perhaps most striking is that  the NL pitchers (who obviously get to the plate more often over a season) proved  clearly more adept at putting the ball in play. AL pitchers struck out in 39 percent of their plate appearances, while NL hurlers fanned 30.1 percent of the time.

There were a few games in that streak in which a pitcher’s performance at the plate caught my eye.

Woody Williams’ day inlcuded a GR 2B; SH; SF; and HBP.

June 16 … Woody Williams of the Cardinals checked a lot of scorekeeper’s boxes as St. Louis topped the Royals 5-1.  Williams had a ground-rule double in the third (and later scored); laid down a successful sacrifice bunt in the fifth; drove in a run with a sacrifice fly in the sixth; and was hit by a pitch in the eighth – a pretty productive day at the plate for a pitcher. He also pitched a complete-game five-hitter (one run, one, one walk, six whiffs).  Williams had a decent season at the plate in 2002 – hitting .207 with one home run and three RBI (29 at bats). He had three doubles, but only one  HBP and Sacrifice Fly. He was 9-4, 2.53 on the mound. In his 15-season MLB career he was 132-116, 4.19 on the bump and .194-4-43 at the plate.

June 18 … Jeff Weaver of the Tigers had the worst offensive game for a pitcher during the streak – going zero-for-four with four strikeouts. He made up for it on the mound, however, tossing a complete-game shutout (five hits, two walks, seven strikeouts) as the Tigers topped the Braves 6-0. Weaver came to the plate in only one other game that season – and went two-for-three with an RBI. He finished the season 11-11, 3.52 with an AL-leading three shutouts. In 11 MLB seasons, he went 104-119. 4/71 and hit .207-0-13,

Mike Hampton did more at the plate than on the mound for the Rockies/.

June 20 … In the Rockies’ 14-11 win over the Yankees, the Rox used pitcher Mike Hampton as a pinch hitter for pitcher Dennis Reyes. Hampton singled to open the eighth inning (the Rockies were up 10-9), moved to second on a bunt that turned into a single, advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on a sacrifice fly. Hampton’s use as a pinch hitter was not really a surprise – he was a good hitting pitcher (.246 average with 16 home runs and 79 RBI in 725 career at bats). In 2002, in  fact, Hampton was a better hitter than pitcher. He was 7-15, 6.15 on the mound and .344-3-5 at the plate. For his 16-season MLB career, Hampton was 148-115, 4.06 on the mound. (In 1999, he went 22-4, 2.90 for the Astros – leading the league in wins, winning percentage and finishing second in the Cy Young balloting. He also hit .373 that season.

Mike Hampton won five Silver Slugger Awards as the National League’s best-hitting pitcher.  (The Silver Slugger Awards were established in 1980.) Hampton earned his handful of Silver Slugger recognitions in five consecutive seasons – from 1999 through 2003.  Notably, he won them with four different teams: Astros (1999); Mets (2000); Rockies (2001 & 2002); and Braves (2003).

In 2003, Hampton was a leather and lumber guy, becoming the first pitcher to win both a Silver Slugger and a Gold Glove in the same season.  (Zack Greinke matched that feat in 2019.) 

In 2001, Hampton homered in three consecutive at bats – his final two trips to the plate in a June 5 start, and his first plate appearance in his next outing (June 10.) That season he hit .291, with seven home runs and 16 RBI in 79 at bats. 

Hampton was two-time All Star during his 16-season MLB career. He retired with a 148-115, 4.06 record on the mound and a .246-16-79 batting line (423 games).  He hit over .300 in four seasons.  While he didn’t hit a homer in his first eight MLB seasons, he went deep 16 times in his final eight campaigns.

Primary Resource: Baseball-Reference.com

 

Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer:  The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change as Major League Baseball recognizes and incorporates Negro League records from 1920-46 into the MLB record book.

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Six Hits Off Five Different Pitchers … or How About Six-for-Six Off Six

June 10, 2021 by

On this date (June 10) in 1953, one of the most colorful players of my youth (Red Sox outfielder Jimmy Piersall) had a six-hit game as Boston topped the Browns 11-2 in Saint Louis.

Piersall, notably, collected his six safeties against five different pitchers: a single off Max Lanier in the first inning; an RBI single off Lanier in the third; a single off Dick Littlefield in the fourth; a double off Bobo Holloman in the sixth; an RBI single off Marlin Stuart in the seventh; and a single off Bob Cain in the ninth. Piersall came into the came hitting .252 and left hitting .274. It was the first game of a doubleheader, but Piersall didn’t fare was well in Game Two – going zero-for-five in a 3-2 Boston win.  Piersall played 17 MLB seasons, going .272-104-591., with 115 stolen bases. He was a two-time All Star and two-time Gold Glover.

Anyway, the anniversary of Piersall’s six-hit, nine-inning game – still the Red Sox franchise record – sent me to thinking about six-hit performances (particularly those that occurred in nine-inning contests). Turns out, they’re not as rare as one might think. MLB has seen 120 instances of players collecting at least six hits in a nine-inning contest (National League, American League, American Association, Players League). Rarer is the seven-hit (nine-inning) game. There have been just two  of those:

  • Wilbert Robinson, Baltimore Orioles (NL) – June 10, 1892.
  • Rennie Stennett, Pirates – September 16, 1975.

So, how about games in which a player got at least six hits, while victimizing at least five different pitchers (as Piersall did)?  Ah, just 12 of those.  And even rarer – six hits against six different pitchers in a nine-inning game – just two.  (Box scores are a little sketchy prior to 1920, but I am pretty confident in this.)Notably, they both qualified as rookies in the year of their six-hit/six-pitcher performances.

—-Six Hits in a Nine-Inning Game Against Six Different Pitchers—-

Bob Oliver, Royals, May 4, 1969

The Royals’ CF went six-for-six in a 15-1 Kansas City Road win over the Angels. The Halos used six pitchers and Oliver got to them all: a single off Clyde Wright in the second inning; a double off Eddie Fisher in the fourth; a two-run home run off Pedro Borbon in the fifth; a single off Phil Ortega and a single off George Brunet in the seventh; a single off Tom Murphy in the ninth. For the day, Oliver was 6-for-6 with two runs scored and three RBI. Oliver, by the way, was a .256 hitter over eight MLB seasons and hit just .254 as a rookie in 1969.

Jesus Alou, Giants, July 10, 1964

Alou’s six-hit game came in a 10-3 Giants’ win over the Cubs in Chicago. Surprisingly, he had just one run and one RBI – but like Bob Oliver (above), Alou collected safeties against all six pitchers who took the mound for the Cubs: single off Dick Ellsworth in the first; single off Lew Burdette in the third; single off Don Elston in the fourth; home run off Dick Scott in the sixth; single off Wayne Schurr in the seventh;  single off Lindy McDaniel in the ninth. Alou was a .280 hitter over 15 MLB seasons. In 1964, he hit .274-3-28 in 115 games.  He came into his six-hit game hitting .264, left hitting .280. In his next game he went one-for-four.

 

A few other six-hit game tidbits:

  • Just five players have multiple six-hit (nine-inning) games (two each); Jim Bottomley (1924 & 1931 – NL); Ed Delahanty (1890 – PL & 1892 – NL); Doc Cramer (1932 & 1935, AL); Henry Larkin (1885 – AA & 1892 – NL ; Cal McVey (1876 – NL).
  • Cal McVey is the only player with two, six-hit (nine-inning) games in the same season (just three days apart) – for the National League Chicago White Stockings (July 22 & July 25, 1876). On July 22, the White Stockings topped the St. Louis Grays 30-7 and on July 25, they beat the Cincinnati Red Stockings (23-3).
  • In his May 23, 2002 six-hit (nine-inning) game for the Dodgers, Shawn Green tied the record for most home runs in a game (four) and set the record for most total bases in a game (19). Green had four home runs, a double and a single in six at bats, scoring six runs and driving in seven as the Dodgers beat the Brewers 16-23 in Milwaukee/
  • The following players hit for the cycle in their six-hi, nine-innings games: John Reilly (1883 – AA); Dave Orr (1885 – AA ); Larry Twitchell (1889 – NL ); Farmer Weaver (1890 – AA); Sam Thompson (1894 – NL); Ian Kinsler (2009 – AL).

Primary Resources:  Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball Almanac.com; MLB.com

Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer:  The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change as Major League Baseball recognizes and incorporates Negro League records from 1920-46 into the MLB record book.

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I tweet baseball @DavidBaseballRT

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Filed Under: Uncategorized

Baseball Roundtable May Wrap Up … No-Hitters, Triple Plays, Streaks and “Brain Freeze”

June 1, 2021 by

It’s June 1 and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s traditional previous month wrap up – statistics, standings and stories that caught BBRT’s eye over the previous month, as well as the BBRT Players and Pitches of the Month and the BBRT Trot index.  Here’s the kind of thing you’ll read about – if you last to the end of the post. 

  • One player (Nick Castellanos, Reds) hit over .400 for the month;
  • Four teams with earned run averaged under 3.00 for the month and ten starting pitcher with ERA’s under 2.00 for may.
  • An 11-game winning streak and a 14-game losing streak.
  • The third, fourth, five and sixth no-hitters of the young season.
  • The fourth and fifth three-homer games of the season.
  • A player end the month leading his league in home runs and stolen bases.

Changing of the Guard… and It’s Good to be a Junior

At the close of play May 31, four players were tied for the major league-lead in home runs with 16: Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (age 23); Adolis Garcia, Rangers (age 28, only 24 MLB games before this season); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (age 22); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (age 22).

  • The second triple play of the season;
  • A player strike out in his first eight MLB at bats (a record) and then collect his first hit, first extra-base hit, first RBI and first run scored – all in the same inning;
  • A on-the-field “Brain Freeze;”
  • The scoring of MLB’s 2,000,000th run.
  • An AL pitcher get is first MLB plate appearances – and go three-for-three; and
  • More

You can read more about these events (and more May stories) in the Highlights Section. First, Baseball Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month.

——Baseball Roundtable Players and Pitchers of the Month——

National League

Player of the Month … Nick Castellanos  3B/OF, Reds

Castellanos led MLB in May batting average (among players with at least 75 May at bats) at a lofty .409. His 38 hits were third (second in the NL). He also had five home runs, 15 RBI and 18 runs scored.  In addition, he drew 12 walks for a .476 on-base percentage (tops in the majors). Castellanos got hits in all but three of his 24 May games and finished the month on a 17-game hitting streak that included 11 multi-hit games. He also had a five-hit, two-homer game on May 2 – and his Reds needed all of that production, winning 13-12 in ten innings.

Honorable Mentions: The Dodgers’ Max Muncy was also in the running after a .337-10-19 month in which he also moved from first base to second base to accommodate the acquisition of Albert Pujols. (Muncy’s ten May homers led the NL.)  I also gave strong consideration to Padres’ SS Fernando Tatis, Jr.  and his .353-9-26 May stat line.  His homers were second in the NL, his RBI first and he also stole a May-best eight bases. Castellanos’ .400+ average, however, was just too hard to deny.

Pitcher of the Month – Kevin Gausman, RHP, Giants

Photo by IDSportsPhoto

Gausman led all pitchers (tied) with five May wins (no losses) in six starts.  He threw 37 innings and gave up just three earned runs. His 0.73 May earned run average was the lowest among pitchers toiling at least 25 innings during the month. (And he did it without tossing a no-hitter.) His 37 innings pitched were eighth in MLB and his 49 strikeouts tied for third. During May, he never gave up more than one earned run in his six starts.  On May 14, he went eight innings against the Pirates,  giving up one run on five hits while fanning 12.

Honorable Mentions: The Nationals’ Max Scherzer went 3-2, 1.83 in six May starts, with an MLB-leading 57 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings (13.04 whiffs per nine). In his two May losses, Scherzer pitched 13 innings giving up just four earned runs (2.77 ERA), while fanning 19 (walking just two). The Nationals scored a total of one run in those two contests. The Brewers’ Brandon Woodruff also earned a look after putting up a 1.07 ERA in May (two wins and two losses), while fanning 49 batters in 42 innings. He could have used a bit more support. Woodruff gave up just five earned runs in six starts – never more than two in an outing.  In his two wins, he held the opposition scoreless for a total of 14 innings. The Phillies’ Zack Wheeler also earned consideration. Although he was only 2-0 in May, he deserved better. His May ERA was 2.08 and his 57 strikeouts (43 1/3 innings) tied for the MLB lead.

American League

Player of the Month …. Marcus Semien, SS, Blue Jays

Marcus Semien hit .368 for the month (second only to Nick Castellanos in MLB), with eight home runs (tied for fourth in MLB) and 22 RBI ( tied for sixth).  His 42 May hits led the majors and his 23 runs scored tied for third. The versatile infielder hit in all but three of 28 games played and had 12 multi-hit games.

Honorable Mentions: Rangers’ outfielder Adolis Garcia put up a .312-11-27 line in May – leading the major in May homers and tied for second in RBI for the month. He ran neck-and-neck with Semien for this recognition and was edged out primarily due on on-base percentage of .348 to Semien’s .429). BBRT also considered the Blue Jays’ Vlad Guerrero, Jr., who put up a .302-9-22 stat line in 28 games – and also drew 12 walks, while fanning only 16 times.

Pitcher of the Month … Lance Lynn RHP, White Sox

Lynn led the AL (and tied for the MLB lead) with five May victories (5-0, 1.64 in six starts.). He may not have been as overpowering as some of the competition (30 strikeouts in 33 innings), but he kept runners away from the plate. After giving up three runs in his first May start, he gave up only three more earned runs over his next five starting assignments.  He’s a big part of why the White Sox reside in first place.

Honorable Mentions: How can you not mention the Rays’ veteran southpaw Rich Hill?  The 41-yea-old, in his 17th MLB season, was downright stingy in May – pitching to a 0.78 ERA in five starts (three wins- one loss). This followed an April when he produced a 7.25 ERA in five starting assignments.  Quite the turnaround.  I also looked at the White Sox Lucas Giolito, 4-2, 2.41 with 45 whiffs (fifth-best in MLB) in May.

Surprise Player of the Month … Adolis Garcia, OF, Rangers

Adolis Garcia (also an honorable mention for Player of the Month) came into the season with a 0.87 average in 24 MLB games and then hit .242-5-14 in April. Garcia really turned it on in May. In 28 games, he hit .312, while leading MLB with 11 May home runs. His 27 May RBI were second only to the Rays’ Austin Meadow 28.  For good measure, he also tossed in five stolen bases in five attempts. He was a positive surprise for the Rangers.  He could use a bit more plate discipline (six walks and 30 whiffs in May), but Garcia earned surprise recognition for May.

Honorable Mention: More a comeback than a surprise, but still a very pleasant surprise of sorts. The Orioles’ Trey Mancini returned to the major this season after a bout with Stage 3 colon cancer. How is it going?  Mancini’s May stat line was .320-6-25.

 

 

Now how about, BBRT’s regularly featured “Trot Index.”

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TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BBRT FEATURE

Through May 2021, 37.4 percent of the MLB season’s 59,398 plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We’re talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher’s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here’s the breakout: strikeouts (24.2%); walks (8.9%); home runs (3.0%); HBP (1.8%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Personally, I’d like more action in the field of play.

The 37.7 percent figure is up slightly from 2020’s (full season) 37.3 percent;  2019’s (full season) 36.2 percent and 2018’s 34.8 percent Trot Index.  

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N0w, how about a look at May. Here’s how the teams fared last month. As you can see, a couple of teams played .700+ ball in May – the Rays and Cubs.  The Cubs put together a solid month with MLB’s best May earned run average and the NL’s best batting average.  (Their solid May showing included eight one-run victories.) Meanwhile, the NL West remained the closest MLB division race – and, appropriately, the three front runner (Giants, Padres, Dodgers) each scored 155 runs during the month.

The Rays played .786 ball, fueled in part by an 11-game winning streak (May 18-24). During the streak they outscored their opponents 95-43, outhit them .292 to .209 and out-homered them 22 to 15. Rays’ hurler put up a 3.20 earned run average during the streak, compared to the opponents 7.51,  Seven of the eleven games were on the road. When the streak started, the Rays were in fourth place (three games out); When it ended, they were in first place (a half-game ahead of the Red Sox).

Over in the National League, the Padres put together a nine-game winning streak at about the same time (May 14 through May 23). Notably the streak consumed the entirety of a nine-game home stand, and was book-ended by a May 12 3-2 loss at Colorado (second game of a double header) and a May 24 5-3 loss at Milwaukee. During  the streak, the Padres outscored their opponents 66-18 and out hit them .288 to .196 (home runs were even at nine apiece).  The Padres mound staff pitched to a 1.65 earned run  average over the nine games, as compared to their opponents 7.00, and notched 95 strikeouts to the opponents’ staffs’ 61. When the streak started, the Padres were in second place (1 1/2 games behind the Giants). After the ninth win, they were in first place with a one-game lead over the Dodgers.

On the other side of the coin, the Orioles finished May in a (still active) 14-game losing streak – in which they were outscored 93-48.  (I’ll let the stats below tell the story.

——-Individual Statistical Leaders For  May———-

RUNS SCORED

National League –Giants (155); Padres (155); Dodgers (155)

American League – Rays (160); Blue Jays (154); Astros (153)

No one scored fewer runs in May than the Pirates, who plated just 81 tallies.  Others under 100 runs for the month included the Mariners (96) and Marlins (97).

AVERAGE

National League – Cubs  (.262); Nationals (.251); Dodgers (.249)

American League – Blue Jays (.279); Astros (.275); Red Sox (.260)

The lowest May team average belonged to the Mariners at a meager .199. The Brewers were the lowest in the National League at .207.

HOME RUNS

National League – Giants (46); Braves (43); Dodgers (38)

American League –  Blue Jays (42); Twins (41); Rays (40)

The Pirates had the fewest May home runs at 17.  In the American League, the Tigers were at the bottom with 20 May homers. The Rockies (19) and Diamondbacks (18) also finished under 20 home runs in May.

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Padres (26); Cardinals (20); Rockies (19)

American League – Rays (23); Tigers (19); Rangers (18)

The A’s stole the fewest bases in May – just four (in seven attempts).

WALKS DRAWN

National League –  Giants (123); Padres (110); Dodgers (109)

American League – White Sox (123); Rays (120); Twins (109)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Phillies (290); Giants (287); Brewers (276)

American League – Rays (311); Tigers (269); Yankees (268)

Astros’ batters fanned the fewest times in May (180).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League –  Cubs (2.52); Padres (2.69); Mets (3.18)

American League – Rays (2.70); White Sox (2.89); Yankees (3.33)

Two teams had ERA’s over 5.00 in May: Orioles (5.89) and Diamondbacks (5.46).

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Brewers (286); Dodgers (276); Phillies (273)

American League – White Sox (279); Indians (278); Angels (276)

The Brewers had the highest strikeouts per nine innings in May at 10.38. The White Sox led the AL at 10.21.

SAVES

National League – Cardinals (12); Mets (11); Cubs (10); Giants (10)

American League – White Sox (9); Indians (9); Red Sox (9); Yankees (9); Mariners (9)

No, a look at some of the players and plays that caught my eye in May.

–—-MAY 2021 HIGHLIGHTS—-

A Different Kind of RBI Machine

Once again proving #InBaseballWeCountEverything, Mets’ rookie Patrick Mazeika – between May 7 and May 11  – became the first major leaguer in more than fifty years to collect three RBI before his first hit.  He collected those RBI on a pair of fielder’s choices and a bases-loaded walk.

On May 7, pinch-hitting for P Aaron Loup in the bottom of the tenth in a 4-4 game against the Diamondbacks, Mazeika came up with the bases loaded and one out. Mazeika hit a dribbler in front of the plate, the pitcher went for the play at the plate (to stop the winning run), the tag was not made and Mazeika had a walk-off fielder’s choice and his first MLB RBI.

On May 9, he came up as a PH in the bottom of the sixth with the Mets up 2-1 on the Diamondbacks, two outs and the sacks full.  This time, he drew a five-pitch walk for his second MLB RBI.

On May 11, the rookie came up – again as a PH – in the bottom of the ninth with one out, the Mets and Orioles tied at two and runners on first and third.  He hit a slow grounder to first, the Orioles unsuccessfully tried to cut down the winning run at the plate.  End result: Run scored and Mazeika’s  got his third MLB RBI and second “walk-off fielder’s choice.”
On May 16, Mazeika finally got his first MLB hit – and it was a home run, giving him his fourth MLB RBI.

DH? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ DH

On May 4, Braves’ 23-year-old -year-old Huascar Ynoa threw seven strong innings (one unearned run on four hits and two walks) to earn his third win of the season as the Braves topped the Nationals 6-1. He also went one-for-three at the plate – stroking a sixth inning Grand Slam. Notably, it was his second straight start in which he homered (a solo shot on April 28 versus the Cubs) and the third straight start in which he collected an RBI.  At the close of May, Ynoa was hitting .353-2-6 in 17 at bats  and had a 4-2, 3.02 record on the mount.

Ynoa Update – Ouch

After a poor outing on May 16 (five runs surrendered in 4 1/3 innings versus the Brewers), Brave’s righty Huascar Ynoa punched a dugout bench (with his pitching hand). The broken right hand is likely to keep him out for a couple of months, the Braves reported.

More #WeDon’tNeedNoStinkin’DH

Okay, how about an American League pitcher wielding the bat (other than Shohei Ohtani, of course)? On May 4, The White Sox ’25-year-old righty Dylan Cease found himself at the plate for the first time in his MLB career (2019-21). He made the most of it, collecting two singles and a double in three at bats.  Oh yes, he also three six scoreless innings, giving up one hit, three walks and fanning eleven – as the White Sox topped the Reds 9-0. Cease now has an MLB average of 1.000 and a slugging percentage of 1.333.

Or, #WhyNotHaveADH, if he’s a pitcher.

In May, the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (bats left/throws right) got four starts on the mound and went 1-1, 2.38, with 27 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings. At the plate the P/DH hit .245, with seven home runs and 21 RBI in 27 games.

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Four No-Hitters In May.  Wow. Just. Wow.

May 2021 saw four MLB no-hitters – only the second time in MLB history that we’ve seen for no-hitters in a single calendar month.  (June of 1990 saw no-hitters by Randy Johnson – June 2; Nolan Ryan – June 11; Dave Stewart – June 29; Fernando Valenzuela – June 29).

The four May no-hitters bring this season’s total no-hit games to six – one shy of the modern-era record of seven (1990, 1991, 2912, 2015)  and two short of the all-time record of eight (1884).

Here’s a look at this May’s “no-no’s.”

May 5, John Means, Orioles

Means no-hit the Mariners – and it was the most dominating performance among May’s no-no’s. The only runner to reach base was Mariners’ LF Sam Haggerty, who struck out swinging in the fourth, but reached when the catcher couldn’t handle the third-strike wild pitch. Haggerty was then caught stealing, so Means faced the minimum 27 batters, fanning 12.  He tossed 113 pitches (79 strikes).) The 28-year-old Means is in his fourth MLB season and, at the end of May , he was 4-1, 2.05 on the season and 18-16, 3.47 in his MLB career.  The no-hitter was his first complete game (48 starts).

May 7, Wade Miley, Reds

The 34-year-old southpaw shut down the Indians 3-0 – giving up no hits and just one walk (eight strikeouts). He threw 114 pitches (72 strikes). Miley is in his eleventh MLB season and the no-hitter was his third complete game and first shutout in 261 starts. Through May he was  5-4, 3.26 for the Reds. His career record is 90-89, 4.21.

May 18, Spencer Turnbull, Tigers

Turnbull no-hit the Mariners as the Tigers won 5-0. He walked two (leadoff walks in the seventh to CF Jarred Kalenic and in the fourth to 1B Jose Marmolejos) and fanned nine, tossing 117 pitches (77 strikes).  This may be the season’s most surprising no-hitter thus far.  Coming into the 2021 campaign, Turnbull had an MLB record of 7-23, 4.55. The no-hitter was the 28-year-old right-hander’s first complete game in his four MLB seasons (52 starts). At the end of May, his 2021 record was 4-2, 2.93.

May 19, Corey Kluber, Yankees

The 35-year-old righty no-hit the Blue Jays – giving up just one walk (a four-pitch free pass to 3B Charlie Culberson in the fourth frame), while fanning nine.  He tossed just 101 pitches (71 strikes).  The Yankees prevailed 2-0.  This one was no surprise, Kluber is in his eleventh MLB season, is a two-time Cy Young Award winner and has led his  league in wins twice, complete games three times and shutouts three times.

A couple of no-hit tidbits:

  • This season’s six no-hitters have seen three teams no-hit twice each (Rangers, Indians, Mariners). Just 19 teams have been no-hit twice in a season in MLB history.
  • Seattle third baseman Kyle Seager has been on the field for nine no-hitters (five as a player on the team that was no-hit, four on the team tossing the no-hitter). That’s a record for no-hitter appearances for a single franchise. Bert Campaneris holds the overall record for appearing in no-hitters at 11.

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Grabbing Some Air and a Seat on the Bench

On May 8, Brewer’s reliever Josh Hader  fanned the side in the bottom of the ninth (giving up a single in the midst of the whiffs), as the Brewers toppled the Marlins 6-2.  The first batter of the inning, Corey Dickerson, fanned on three pitches, giving Hader 400 career strikeouts and making him the the quickest ever to 400 whiffs– 234 2/3 innings.

I’m in Control Here

With two outs in the top of the fifth inning of a Brewers’ May 13 2-0 loss to the Cardinals, Brewers’ starter Corbin Burnes walked Cardinals’ SS Tommy Edman on five pitches.  That might not have been significant – except it was Burnes’ first walk of the 2021 season (coming in his sixth start).  It completed a streak that left Burnes holding the record for the most batters struck out before giving up the first walk of a campaign (58) – as well as for the most batters fanned between walks at any point in the season.  Burnes faced 125 batters in his streak and fanned 46.4 percent of them. (For more on Burnes’ streak, click here.)

While Burnes’ still holds the record for strikeouts before a walk from the start of a season, his record for most strikeouts between walks in a season has already fallen to the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole. Cole walked the Blue Jays’ LF Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. leading off the second inning of his start on April 12 and didn’t walk another batter until he issued a free pass to Rangers’ RF Joey Gallo in the fifth inning of the Yankees/Rangers Game of May 17. In between those walks he faced 150 batters and fanned 61 (the new record for strikeouts between walks at any point in a season). Ironically, Gallo ended May leading the AL not in walks, but whiffs at 73). In the midst of his streak, Cole notched his 1,500th MLB strikeout (The Rays’ Brett Phillips on May 12).

250 … That has a Ring to It

This May, the Red Sox’ J.D. Martinez and Braves’ Freddie Freeman each hit their 250th MLB home run. Freeman’s came on May 15 and was his tenth of the season. Martinez’ came on May 20 and was his twelfth of the season.

Zero-to-Fifty in a Hurry

On May 21, Padres’ shortstop Fernando Tatis, Jr. had a four-for-four day as the Padres pounded the Mariners 16-1. In the course of the game, Tatis popped his eleventh home run of the season – the 50th of his career. Reaching the 50-homer milestone in his 171st MLB game meant he reached the marker faster than any other MLB shortstop and quicker than all but four other major leaguers (any position).  Those ahead of Tatis? Pete Alonso (152 games); Rudy York (153 games); Gary Sanchez (161 games); Mark McGwire (161 games).Making that first solid contact count.

Power and Speed

At the close of May, the Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. was tied for the NL lead in home runs (16) and stolen bases. Only three MLB players have led their league in those two categories in the same campaign: Jim Sheckard, Superbas (Dodgers), in 1903; Ty Cobb,Tigers, in 1909; Chuck Klein, Phillies, in 1932. 

 

Well, That’s a First

On May 21, Mets’  22-yer-old rookie outfielder Khalil Lee, who made his MLB debut May 17,  rapped a pinch-hit double in the top of the 12th inning that drove in the go-ahead run as the Mets topped the Marlins 6-5 in Miami. (Lee also scored in the inning – on a triple by another rookie –  CF Johneshy Fargas.  (The Mets plated three runs in the fop of the twelfth, the Marlins got two in the bottom of the frame.)  In the inning, Lee notched a host of personal MLB “firsts”  – his first hit, first extra-base hit, first RBI and first run scored. Not only that, he snapped a record-setting streak of futility. To that point in his MLB career, Lee had come to the plate eight times and struck out all eight (four looking/four swinging) – a record for the beginning of an MLB career.

Baseball Roundtable Extra

University of Nevada infielder Tyler Bosetti set a new Division One NCAA record, hitting home runs in nine straight games between April 24 and May 11. Notably, now in his fourth college season, Bosetti had a total of five homers in his first three campaigns. 

Grand Slam Bookends and More #InBaseballWeCountEverything

On May 21, as the Braves thrashed the Pirates 20-1 in Atlanta, Atlanta popped seven home runs – including two Grand Slams. STATS reports they are the first team to collect seven or more home runs and two Grand Slams in the same game. Here is the long ball tally: RF Ronald Acuna, Jr. – Grand Slam in the second; 2B Ozzie Albies – two-run homer in the fifth; 3B Austin Riley – solo home runs in the fifth and seventh; CF Marcell Ozuna – solo in the sixth; SS Dansby Swanson – solo in the seventh; PH Ehire Adrianza – Grand Slam in the eighth.

Winker Going Wild

On May 21, as the Reds topped the Brewers 9-4, Reds’ leadoff hitter and LF Jesse Winker had a four-for-four day – and his first MLB three-homer contest.  Winker popped solo home runs in the third, fifth and eighth innings.  Winker ended the game hitting .356-11-26. It was the fifth three-homer game this season.  The others belong to: The Rockies’ Ryan McMahon (April 6); Red Sox’ J.D. Martinez (April 11); Blue Jays Vlad Guerrero, Jr. (April 27); Twins’ Miguel Sano (May 18).

Like Father Like Son

Two father and son duos have three-homer games on their MLB resumes:

Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. and Cecil and Prince Fielder

Three Can Be a Lucky Number

On May 21, not only did we see the 2021 season’s fifth three-homer game (see above), but also the season’s second triple play – and it was a crucial triple killing, helping the Yankees to a 2-1 win over the White Sox, The score was 1-1 in the top of the ninth, when Yankees’ closer Aroldis Chapman started the inning by walking DH Yermin Mercedes on five pitches (Mercedes was replaced by pinch runner Billy Hamilton) and then mishandling a bunt by CF Leury Garcia  – putting runners on first and second with none out.  Next up was LF Andrew Vaughn, who hit a hard grounder to 3B Gio Urshela (playing near the bag), Urshela stepped on third, fired to 2B Rougned Odor for the second out and the watched as Odor relayed the ball to 1B Luke Voit for out number three. The Yankees then scored in the bottom of the inning to give Chapman the win.

Double Your Pleasure

On July 17, 1990 the Minnesota Twins became the first (and still only) team to turn two triple plays in one game. Both were classic third (Gary Gaetti) to second (Al Newman) to first (Kent Hrbek) triple killings.  The Twins, by the way, lost the game (to the Rd Sox) 1-0.

Major League Brain Freeze

On May 27, the Cubs stole a run from the Pirates during a run-down – between first base and home plate. Here’s how it went down. There were two outs in the top of the third inning with Cubs’ catcher Wilson Contreras on second base. Chicago SS Javier Baez hit a ground ball to third base, but Pirates’ 3B Erik Gonzalez’ throw pulled 1B Will Craig off the bag.  Then, the fun began.

Contreras, of course, was running on the play, approaching third base. Baez instead continuing toward first after Craig caught the ball up the line, retreated back toward home plate.  At this point, all Craig needed to do was go back and touch first and the inning was over, with no run scoring.  Oops! Instead, he chased Baez back toward home. By this time, as Baez approached home plate from the first-base side, Contreras was approaching the plate from the third-base side. Quite a crowd was gathering. Still, Craig just needed to return to first base and touch the bag to end the inning.  Instead, he tossed the ball to Pirates’ catcher Michael Perez (with Contreras sliding under the tag). Still, all that needed to happen was for a Pirate defender to tag first base and retire Baez, with the run not scoring.  (Baez was now again headed toward first and Pirates’ second baseman Adam Frazier was coming over to cover the bag.) Perez, however, threw the ball past Frazier into right field and Baez ended up on second base (later scoring on an Ian Happ single).  Those two odd runs proved important as  the Cubs emerged with a 5-3.  Want to see how it all went down.  Enjoy this YouTube video from MLB.

 

Baseball Roundtable Extra

On May 24, 17-year-old high schooler Frank Mozzicato (Manchester East Catholic High School) – possessor of a low-90’s fastball – tossed his fourth consecutive no-hitter. After the game, his season total included 101 strikeouts and just 15 walks (in 42 innings) and a 0.21 earned run average (just one earned run allowed).

The Two-Million Run Man (apologies to Lee Majors)

On May 29, in the first inning of a game against the Royals, Twins’ DH Nelson Cruz drove in 3B Josh Donaldson to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead.  As Donaldson touched the plate, he scored the two millionth run in MLB history (as verified by the Elias Sports Bureau. (Side note:  That designation may change once the Negro League statistics are officially incorporated into MLB’s stat lines.)

–——Individual Statistical Leaders for May———-

AVERAGE (75 May at bats minimum)

National League – Nick Castellanos, Reds (.409); Adam Frazier, Pirates (.360): Max Muncy, Dodgers (.330)

American League –  Marcus Semien , Blue Jays (.368); Teoscar Hernandez, Blue Jays (.343); Andrew Benintendi, Royals (.340)

The lowest May average (among players with at least 75 at bats) belonged to the Royals’ Jorge Soler at .154 (14-for-91). Eleven hitters with at least 75 May at bats hit under .200 for the month. 

HOME RUNS

National League – Max Muncy, Dodgers (10); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (9); Eugenio Suarez, Reds (8); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (8)

American League –  Adolis Garcia, Rangers (11): Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (9); Mitch Haniger, Mariners (8); Jared Walsh, Angels (8); Ramon Laureano, A’s (8); Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (8); Austin Meadows, Rays (8)

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – Fernando Tatis, Jr. Padres (26); Eduardo Escobar, Diamondbacks (23); Brandon Crawford, Giants (22)

American League – Austin Meadow, Rays (28); Adolis Garcia, Rangers  (27);  Jose Abreu, White Sox (26)

The Dodgers’ Max Muncy had the highest slugging percentage (75 at bat minimum) for May at .714  The only other player at .700+ was the Blue Jays’ Marcus Semien (.702)

HITS

National League – Adam Frazier, Pirates (40); Nick Castellanos, Reds (38); Trea Turner, Nationals (35)

American League – Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (42); Teoscar Hernandez, Blue Jays (37); Jose Altuve, Astros (36)

DOUBLES

National League –  Josh Rojas, Diamondbacks (10): Bryan Reynolds, Pirates (10); Nick Castellanos, Res (9); Adam Frazier, Pirates (10)

American League – Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (12); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (11); Randal Grichuk, Blue Jays (10)

TRIPLES

National League – Ozzie Albies, Braves (3); Garrett Hampson, Rockies (3)

American League –Amed Rosario, Indians (3)

The Reds’ Nick Castellanos led players with at least 75 May at bats  in on-base percentage at .476.

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (8); Trea Turner, Nationals (7); Jonathan Villar, Mets (6); Story, Rockies (6); Tommy Edman, Cardinals (6)

American League –Niko Goodrum, Tigers (7); Whit Merrifield, Royals (7); Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Rangers (6); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (6); Randy Arozarena, Rays (6)

Whit Merrifield was seven-for-seven in May steal attempts.

WALKS

National League – Tommy Pham, Padres (19); Juan Soto, Nationals (19); several with 16

American League – Yasmani Grandl, White Sox (29); Yoan Moncada, White Sox (24);  Carlos Santana, Royals (22)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Javier Baez, Cubs (34); Andrew McCutchen, Phillies (33); Austin Riley, Braves (33)

American League –Miguel Sano, Twins (38); Michael Taylor, Royals (38); Brandon Lowe, Rays (37); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (37)

The top seven players in batters’ strikeouts for May were in the American League.

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League – Kevin Gausman, Giants (5-0); Kyle Hendricks, Cubs (4-1); Jack Flaherty, Cardinals (4-1); Julio Urias, Dodgers (4-2)

American League – Lance Lynn, White Sox (5-0); Hyun Gin Ryu, Blue Jays (4-0); Yusmeiro Petit, A’s (4-0); Josh Fleming, Rays (4-1); Lucas Giolito, White Sox (4-2)

The Redss Luis Castillo had the most May losses (0-6, 8.04).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (at least 25 innings pitched)

National League – Kevin Gausman, Giants (0.73); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (1.07); Taijuan Walker, Mets (1.52)

American League – Rich Hill, Rays (0.78); Kris Bubic, Royals (1.52); Lance Lynn, White Sox (1.64).

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Max Scherzer, Nationals (57 / 39 1/3 IP); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (57 / 36 1/3 IP); Kevin Gausman, Giants (49 / 37 IP); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (49 / 42 IP).

American League – Lucas Giolito, White Sox (45 / 37 1/3 IP); Carlos Rodon, White Sox (44 / 29 2/3 IP); Shane Bieber, Indians (42 / 29 2/3 IP); Tyler Glasnow, Rays (42  / 32 1/3 IP)

Among pitcher with at least 25 May innings, the White Sox’ Carlos Rodon  led in whiffs per nine innings at 13.35. Also, above 13 were The Padres’ Blake Snell (13.33);  Nat’s Max Scherzer (13.04) and Tigers’ Tarik Skubal (13.00). Thirty-four pitchers with at least 25 May innings average 10 or more whiffs per nine.  

SAVES

National League – Alex Reyes, Cardinals (9); Craig Kimbrel, Cubs (8); Mark Melancon, Padres (8)

American League: Liam Hendriks, White Sox (8):  Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (7); Matt Barnes, Red Sox (6); Ian Kennedy, Rangers (6)

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If the season ended at the close of play May 31, your post-season team would be:

AMERICAN LEAGUE – Rays, White Sox, A’s.  Wild Cards: Red Sox.  Indians/Astros (tie).

NATIONAL LEAGUE – Mets, Bubs, Giants.  Wild Cards: Padres, Dodgers.

–——Team  Statistical Leaders through  May———-

RUNS SCORED (average 231)

National League –  Dodgers (282); Padres (264); Giants (261)

American League – Astros (284); Rays (273); Red Sox (269)

AVERAGE (average .236)

National League – Nationals (.249); Reds (.246); Dodgers (.246)

American League – Astros (.267); Red Sox (.259); Blue Jays (.258)

The lowest team average through  belonged to the Mariners at a meager .205. The Brewers were the lowest in the National League at .211.

HOME RUNS (average 60)

National League – Braves (81); Giants (78); Reds (73)

American League –  Blue Jays (77); Twins (72); A’s (70)

The Pirates had the fewest home runs through May at 37. In the AL, the Tigers and Royals were at the bottom with 48.

STOLEN BASES (average 25)

National League – Padres (59);  Phillies (33); Cubs (32); Marlins (32)

American League – Royals (39); Rangers (37); Rays (32)

The Yankees  and Reds  stole the fewest bases in  through May (12). The Yankees attempted the fewest steals through May at 16. By contrast, the Padres attempted 74 steals.

WALKS DRAWN (average 177)

National League – Dodgers (235); Padres (220); Giants (215)

American League – Rays (213); Yankees (213); White Sox (214)

The White Sox led MLB  in on-base percentage through  May at .343. The Dodgers led the NL at .338.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS (average 479)

National League – Phillies (544); Brewers (538); Giants (530)

American League – Rays (584); Tigers (549); Rangers (527)

Hmm. What do strikeouts mean? The Rays have the most wins (through May) in the AL and also the most whiffs.  The Tigers have the third-most losses and the second-most  whiffs. In the NL, the Giants have the most wins through May and the third-most whiffs, while the Phillies with the most strikeouts have the fourth-most losses.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (average 4.02)

National League – Padres (2.77); Mets (3.06); Dodgers (3.19)

American League –Yankees (3.20); White Sox (3.23); Rays (3.38)

The highest  ERA through May belonged to the Angles at 5.06. 

STRIKEOUTS (average 479)

National League – Padres (572); Brewers (555); Dodgers (544)

American League – White Sox (530); Yankees (526); Angels (524)

The Padres, Brewers and White Sox all averaged 10.4 whiffs per nine innings through May. Other teams at 10 or more: Mets (10.2); Dodgers (10.1); Angels (10.0); Indians (10.0). The MLB average was 9.2.

WALKS SURRENDERED (average 177)

National League – Cardinals (240); Reds (222); Rockies (204)

American League – Angels (222); Royals (211); Indians (201)

SAVES (average 13)

National League – Giants (21); Padres (20); Cardinals (19)

American League – Indians (17); Mariners (17); Rays (17)

–——Individual Statistical Leaders through May 31———-

 

BATTING AVERAGE (qualifying players – 3.1 plate appearance for each team game played)

National League – Nick Castellanos, Reds (.356); Jesse Winker, Reds (.348); Adam Frazier, Pirates (.332)

American League –  J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (.323); Vlad Guerrero, Jr. , Blue Jays (.323); Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (.321)

The lowest average through May  (among qualifiers) belonged to the Brewers’ Jackie Bradley at .150 (24-for-160).

HOME RUNS

National League – Ronald Acuna, Jr. Braves (16); Fernando Tatis, Jr. (16); five with 13.

American League –  Adolis Garcia, Rangers (16): Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (16); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (15)

RUNS BATTED IN

National League –Eduardo Escobar, D-backs (39);  Jesus Aguilar, Marlins (38); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (37)

American League – Jose Abreu, White Sox (46); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (43); Vlad Guerrero, Jr.. Blue Jays (42); Trey Mancini, Orioles (42)

The Braves Nick Castellanos had the highest slugging percentage (among qualifiers) through  May at .638.  The only other player at .600+ were the Reds’ Jesse Winker (.635); Blue Jays’ Vlad Guerrero, Jr. (.634); Braves’ Ronald Acuna, Jr. (618); and Cubs’ Kris Bryant (.611),

HITS

National League – Adam Frazier, Pirates (69); Nick Castellanos, Reds (67); Jesse Winker, Reds (62)

American League – J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (62); Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (62); Isiah Kiner-Falefa,Rangers (611); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (61)

DOUBLES

National League –  Nolan Arenado, Cardinals (17); Adam Frazier, Pirates (17); Mookie Betts, Dodgers (16); Bryan Reynolds, Pirates (16)

American League – Rafael Devers, Red Sox (17); Joey Wendle, Rays (16); Yuli Gurriel, Astros (15); Austin Meadows, Rays (15)

TRIPLES

National League – Dave Peralta, D-backs (5); Garrett Hampson, Rockies (4)

American League –Akil Badoo, Tigers (4); Nick Madrigal, White Sox (4)

The most extra-bases hits (among qualified players) through May was 31 for the Red Sox’ Rafael Devers. The Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado led the NL with 29. The fewest extra-base hits among qualifiers was seven (by six players).

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (12); Trea Turner, Nationals (12); Tommy Edman, Cardinals (10); Barrett Hampson, Rockies (10)

American League –Whit Merrifield, Royals (15); Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Rangers (10); Tim Anderson, White Sox (9)

The most stolen bases without being thrown out through May was eight by the Blue Jays’ Marcus Semien.  MLB SB leader Whit Merrifield (Royals) was 15-for-16 in steal attempts.

WALKS

National League – Max Muncy, Dodgers (43); Freddie Freeman, Braves (35); Andrew McCutchen, Phillies (31)

American League – Yasmani Grandl, White Sox (42); Joey Gallo, Rangers (39); Carlos Santana, Royals (38)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Javier Baez, Cubs (70); Eugenio Suarez, Reds (70); Willy Adames, Brewers (61); Rhys Hoskins, Phillies (61)

American League – Joey Gallo, Rangers (73); Matt Chapman, A’s (70); Nate Lowe, Rangers (67)

The best walks-to-strikeouts ratio through May (among qualifiers) belonged to the Nationals’ Juan Soto at 1.318 (29 walks and 22 whiffs in 40 games).

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League –Jack Flaherty, Cardinals (8-1); Julio Urias, Dodgers (7-2); Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (7-4)

American League – Yusmeiro Petit, A’s (7-0); Aaron Civale, Indians (7-2); five with six

The Reds’ Luis Castillo had the most losses through May (1-8, 7.22 in 11 starts). Coming into this season, the 28-year-old Castillo was 32-33, 3.62, 

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (qualifying players … at least one inning pitched for each team game played)

National League – Jacob deGrom (0.71); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (1.27); Kevin Gausman, Giants (1.40)

American League – Gerrit Cole, Yankees (1.78); Carlos Rodon, White Sox (1.98); John Means, Orioles (2.05)

Among qualifying pitchers Jacob deGrom held batters to the lowest average through May at .129.

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Trevor Bauer, Dodgers (96 / 76 1/3 IP); Max Scherzer, Nationals (95 / 69 1/3 IP); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (92 / 75 IP)

American League – Shane Bieber, Indians (110 / 72 IP); Tyler Glasnow, Rays (98  / 70 IP); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (97 / 70 2/3 IP)

Among qualifying pitchers, the Mets’ Jacob deGrom had the best strikeouts/nine innings ratio through May at 14.47. Shane Bieber led the AL at 13.75. Two others were at 13+: The Brewers’ Freddy Peralta (13.18) and White Sox’ Carl Rodon (13.17). deGrom also had the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 11.14. The only other qualifier with a ratio of 10+ through May was the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole (10.78).

Among qualifying pitchers,  the Phillies’ Zack Elfin had the best walks per nine innings ratio at 1.06.

SAVES

National League – Mark Melancon, Padres (17); Alex Reyes, Cardinals (15); Josh Hader, Brewers (12); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (12); Craig Kimbrel, Cubs (12); Jake McGee, Giants (12)

American League: Liam Hendriks, White Sox (13):  Matt Barnes, Red Sox (12); Ian Kennedy, Rangers (11); Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (11)

The Cardinals’ Alex Reyes and Brewers’ Josh Hader  are the only pitchers with ten or more saves and no blown save opportunities. Reyes is 15-for-15, Hader 12-for-12.

Primary Resources:  Stathead.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; ESPN.com; MLB.com

Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer:  The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change as Major League Baseball recognizes and incorporates Negro League records from 1920-46 into the MLB record book.

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