Archives for June 2018

Moonlight Graham’s MLB Debut

June 29, 2018 by David

For fans of W.P. Kinsella’s book “Shoeless Joe” or the movie “Field of Dreams,” today (June 29, 2018) marks the 113^th anniversary of Archibald “Moonlight” Graham’s only MLB appearance. Graham’s major league experience – which consisted two defensive innings (in which he had no fielding chances) in right field for the Giants – was, of course, immortalized in the book and movie. In real life, Graham was brought in to play right field in the bottom of the eighth (for trivia buffs, replacing George Browne). The Giants were up 10-0 over the Brooklyn Superbas (Dodgers) at the time. Graham was scheduled to bat fifth in the top of the ninth. The Giants almost got him that elusive MLB at bat, scoring one run in the top of the ninth, but leaving Graham on deck when the final was made.

Graham’s professional baseball career stretched from 1902 to 1908 – with minor league stops in Portsmouth, Virginia; Charlotte, North Carolina; Nashua, New Hampshire; Manchester, New York; Scranton, Pennsylvania; Binghamton, New York; and Memphis, Tennessee. His best season was 1906, when hit .329 in 136 games, while splitting time between the Scranton Miners (Class B) and Memphis Egyptians (Class A). After leaving baseball, Graham went on to a medical career, serving the people of Chisholm, Minnesota for five decades.

Some Moonlight Graham Tidbits:

Graham was born in Fayetteville, North Carolina on November 12, 1879.
It would be an understatement to say the Graham family was “well-educated.” Moonlight Graham’s parents both held college degrees – and Moonlight and his eight siblings ALL earned college degrees.
Graham earned a Bachelor’s Degree (1901) from the University of North Carolina, where he played three seasons of varsity baseball (and captained the team).
Even while pursuing a professional baseball career (after graduating from UNC), Graham continued his education – at The University of Maryland (Baltimore) Medical School. Under the collegiate rules at the time, his professional status did not prevent him from playing college sports, and Graham played football and baseball at Maryland in 1905 and 1905.
Graham joined the New York Giants In May of 1905, shortly after graduating from the University of Maryland School of Medicine.
In 1906, his .336 average with the B-Level Scranton Miners led the New York State League.
After retiring from professional baseball and setting up medical practice in Chisholm, Minnesota, Graham played on a number of local town ball and semi-pro clubs in the area.
Graham served as the official physician for the Chisholm School system for more than forty years; he also gained significant recognition was his resarch on childhool hypertension and his reported to never have missed a day’s work in his 40+ years on the job.
In 1993, the Doc Graham Scholarship Fund was established, each year providing financial recognition to a pair of Chisholm High School graduating seniors.

For more on Moonlight Graham’s life and career – in baseball and medicine – BBRT suggests the book Chasing Moonlight: The True Story of Field of Dreams’ Doc Graham by Brett Friedlander and Robert Reising.

COMING SOON – BBRT’S JUNE MLB WRAP UP.

Primary Resources: Society for American Baseball Research; ChasingMoonlight: The True Story of Field of Dreams’ Doc Graham (Brett Friedlander & Robert Lansing; 2011, John F. Blair Publisher); Baseball-Reference.com

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Edwin Jackson’s Well-Traveled Career – and (somewhat) Unexpected No-Hitter

June 26, 2018 by David

Photo by Keith Allison

Yesterday (June 25, 2018), 34-year-old right-hander Edwin Jackson started on the mound for the Oakland A’s in Detroit. Jackson pitched well, giving up just six hits and one run over six innings, while fanning seven – and he made a bit of history along the way. In his sixteenth major league season, Jackson was playing for his thirteenth team – tying Octavio Dotel for the most MLB teams played for in a career. Jackson’s collection of uniforms includes: The Dodgers, Rays, Tigers, Diamondbacks, White Sox, Cardinals, Nationals, Cubs, Braves, Marlins, Padres, Orioles and A’s.

In Their Many Travels, Their Paths Did Briefly Cross

Edwin Jackson and Octavio Dotel – MLB’s most traveled players – were on the same team during the second half of the 2011 season. It came about thanks to some unusual transactions. On July 27 of that season, Jackson (then with the White Sox) was traded to the Toronto Blue Jays (along with Mark Teahen) for Jason Fraser and Zack Stewart – joining Octavio Dotel (kind of) on the Toronto roster. The two, however, never played together for the Blue Jays. On that same day, they were traded together (along with Corey Patterson and Marc Rzepczynski) from the Jays to the St. Louis Cardinals (where Jackson and Dotel became teammates). Gong to the Jays were Colby Rasmus,Trevor Miller, Brian Tallet and P.J. Walters. Jackson and Dotel were both granted free agency after the 2011 season. Jackson signed with the Natoinals for 2012, Dotel with the Tigers.

While BBRT acknowledges Jackson’s longevity and piece of the “most MLB teams played for” record, I’m actually more interested in a game Jackson pitched on a different June 25. On June 25, 2010, Jackson pitched one of the most unlikely no-hitters ever twirled.

Jackson and his Diamondbacks were facing the Rays in Tampa Bay. Jackson, in his eighth MLB season, was already playing for his fourth MLB team. Ironically, he had been traded away from the Tigers after his only All Star campaign (2009, when he put up a 13-9, 3.62) record for the Bengals.

Jackson got off to a slow start for Arizona and came into the June 25, 2010, game with a 4-6 record and a 5.05 earned run average on the season. That day in Tampa Bay, however, he was unhittable – and unscored upon. Still, despite the 1-0 final score, it wasn’t a classic gem of a no-no.

In his June 25, 2010 no-hitter, Edwin Jackson threw 149 pitches (79 strikes) – acknowledged as the highest total ever in a no-hit game.

Here are just a few facts about Jackson no-hitter – one that no one saw coming, particularly after the first three frames.

Jackson started the game with an earned run average (on the season) north of 5.00.
Jackson went to a three-ball count on the first four batters he faced – walking two.
Jackson also walked two more in the second inning and walked the bases full with no one out in the third.
In the first three innings, Jackson threw 70 pitches.

Jackson’s no-hitter stat line of nine innings pitched, zero runs, eight walks, one hit batter and six strikeouts is identical to the no-hitter – reportedly pitched while high on LSD – fashioned by the Pirates’ Dock Ellis in a 2-0 win over the Padres on June 12, 1970.

For the game, Jackson walked eight and hit a batter – and the Rays left nine runners on base.
Over his nine innings, Jackson went to a three-ball count on 13 of the 36 batters he faced.
It was Jackson’s first – and, ultimately, only – complete game of the 2010 season.

Side note: Just five week after his no-hitter, Jackson was traded from the Diamondbacks to the White Sox.

The record for walks allowed in nine-inning no-hitter is nine, by the Marlins’ A.J. Burnett in a 3-0 no-hit win over the Padres on May 12, 2001. Jim Maloney did walk ten in a no-hitter (August 19, 1965), but he tossed ten no-hit frames as his Reds topped the Cubs 1-0.

Primary Resource: Baseball-Reference.com

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

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Two Pudges – both headed for the Hall of Fame – Cross Paths, while Going in Different Directions

June 22, 2018 by David

On this date (June 22), twenty-five years ago (1993), 45-year-old Carlton “Pudge” Fisk started at catcher for the White Sox – in a game against the Texas Rangers in Chicago. That contest proved historic for reasons both expected and unexpected.

The contest was Fisk’s 2,499^th major league game and his 2,226^th behind the plate. At the time, it gave the future Hall of Famer sole possession of the MLB record for games played at catcher – moving him one past Bob Boone (whose career stretched from 1972-1990). Fisk, of course, knew that achievement was coming when he took the field. What he didn’t’ know was that it would be his last MLB game. Fisk was unexpectedly released by the White Sox six days later (June 28).

Carlton Fisk was the first American League unanimous Rookie of the Year Selection (1972).

Fisk probably also was unaware that the young (born two years after Fisk’s MLB debut) fellow starting behind the plate for the Rangers that day – another Pudge – Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez would not only join Fisk in the Hall of Fame someday, but would also break his record for games played at catcher. The 21-year-old Rodriguez was in just his third season, playing his 272^nd MLB game – 263^rd at catcher. Rodriguez would surpass Fisk’s record for games played at catcher on June 17, 2009 – and go on to raise the mark to 2,427.

Carlton Fisk – on May 9, 1984 (or maybe May 8) – set the record for innings caught in a single game. He was behind the plate for all 25 innings of a eight-hour (and six-minute) White Sox 7-6 win over the Brewers. Fisk went three-for-eleven at the plate (with a walk, one run, one RBI and three whiffs). Behind the dish, he recorded 17 putouts and five assists, throwing out four of six would-be base stealers. Fisk did,however, get a bit of a “rest” in the contest. The game began on May 8, was suspended after 18-innings and completed on May 9.

For those who are interested, during his 24-season (1969, 1971-1993), 2,499-game MLB career, Carlton Fisk hit ..269, collecting 2,356 safeties, 376 home runs, 1,276 runs scored, 1,330 RBI and 128 stolen bases. He was the 1972 AL Rookie of the year, an All Star in eleven seasons and a Gold Glover once. His best season was 1977, when he went .315-26-102 for the Red Sox. He hit a career-high 37 home runs in 1985 (White Sox), swiped a career high 17 bases in 1982 & 1985 (White Sox) and led the AL in triples in 1972 with nine (Red Sox).

The only MLB catchers to lead their league in triples are: Buck Ewing (20 for the 1884 Giants); Tim McCarver (13 for the Cardinals in 1966); Carlton Fisk (nine for the Red Sox in 1972).

Ivan Rodriguez, played 21 MLB seasons (1991-2011), hitting .296, with 3,844 hits, 311 home runs, 1,354 runs scored and 1,332 RBI. He was an All Star in 14 campaigns, a 13-time Gold Glover and the 1999 American League MVP. . His best season was his 1999 MVP year (Rangers), when he hit .332-35-113 and tossed in 25 of his 127 career stolen bases.

Catcher Who Won MLB MVP awards:

AL: Mickey Cochrane (Athletics, 1928 & Tigers, 1934); Yogi Berra (Yankees, 1951, 1954, 1955); Elston Howard (Yankees, 1963); Thurmon Mundson (Yankees, 1976); Ivan Rodriguez (Rangers, 1999); Joe Mauer (Twins, 2009).

NL: Bob O’Farrell (Cardinals, 1926); Gabby Hartnett (Cubs, 1935); Ernie Lombardi (Reds, 1938); Roy Campanella (Dodgers, 1951, 1953, 1955); Johnny Bench ( Reds, 1970, 1972); Buster Posey (Giants, 2012).

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Mike Lansing – Celebrating MLB’s Fastest-Ever Cycle

June 18, 2018 by David

Baseball Roundtable, as regular readers know, likes to bring attention to baseball achievements and occurrences that both rare and unlikely to be seen again. Now, hitting for the cycle (single, double, triple and home run in the same game) would not qualify as one of those – it’s been done more than 300 times at the major-league level. Unique and rare, however, does describe the path Colorado Rockies’ second baseman Mike Lansing took to achieve his cycle.

On this date (June 18), 18 years ago, Lansing completed the cycle in just four innings – making his the quickest cycle in MLB history – and earning him the “yellow jersey” of baseball cyclists. Notably, Lansing was consistently behind in the counts and three of his four hits came with two strikes.

Quickest Cycle Ever … Career Perspective

Minnesota Twins outfielder Gary Ward hit for the cycle in just his 14^th MLB game (September 18, 1980 against the Brewers) – the earliest in an MLB career anyone has ever accomplished the feat. For more on rookies who have hit for the cycle, click here.

Lansing, hitting second in the order, hit an RBI triple to right in the first inning (getting the most difficult leg of the cycle out of the way ) on a 1-2 pitch, added a two-run home run (0-1 pitch) in the bottom of the second, hit a two-run double (2-2 pitch) in the bottom of the third (as the Rockies scored nine times to take a 14-1 lead), and then completed the cycle with a single (another 1-2 offering) to right in the fourth. Lansing then struck out in the sixth, before being lifted for a pinch-hitter in the eighth. (For trivia buffs, the pinch-hitter was Darren Bragg and he fanned swinging.) Lansing ended the day four-for-five, with three runs scored and five RBI, as the Rockies torched the Diamondbacks 19-2 in Denver.

Drafted (in the sixth round of the MLB draft) out of Wichita State, where he was a 1989 All American, the 6-foot/175-lb. right-hander was primarily a second baseman in his nine-season major league career – although he also saw considerable time at third base and shortstop. He hit .275 with 14 home runs, 120 RBI and 90 stolen bases in three minor league seasons (193 games) before making the Montreal Expos roster in 1993. In his rookie season, Lansing appeared in 141 games, going .287-3-45, with 23 steals.

Never an All Star, Lansing proved a valuable, reliable and versatile roster addition during his MLB career (Expos/Rockies/Red Sox) – finishing with a .271 average, 84 home runs, 440 RBI and 119 steals in 1,110 games. Lansing reached 20 home runs once (1997), topped 20 steals three times (1993-95-96), and hit 40 or more doubles twice (1996-97). That 2000 season was the only campaign in which he hit more than two triples (a career-high six).

In addition to his fastest-ever cycle, Lansing shares the record for the most home runs in an inning (two). On May 7, 1997, he hit a two-run and three-run homer in a 13-run sixth inning as the Expos topped the Giants 19-3 in San Francisco. That was his best season in the majors, as he hit .281 and recorded his career highs in home runs (20), RBI (70) and doubles (45).

As long as we’re looking at cycles. Here are a few tidbits of cycle-driven trivia;

Four players have hit for the cycle a record three times: Adrian Beltre (Mariners-2008, Rangers-2012 and 2015); Bob Meusel (Yankees-1921, 1922 and 1928); Babe Herman (Brooklyn Robins-1931 twice and Cubs-1933); John Reilly (Red Stockings-1883 twice and Reds 1890).

Gotta Love the Texas – and More of “We Track Pretty Much Everything in Baseball”

Adrian Beltre’s record-tying three cycles – although hit for two different teams – all took place at the Texas Rangers’ home park (Globe Life Park in Arlington). He cycled there twice for the hometown Rangers and once for the visiting Mariners, making him the only player to hit for the cycle in the same stadium for two different teams.

Four players have hit for cycle twice in the same season: John Reilly (American Association Red Stockings-1883); Tip O’Neill (American Association St. Louis Browns-1887); Babe Herman (NL Brooklyn Robins/Dodgers-1931); Aaron Hill (NL Arizona Diamondbacks-2012). No American Leaguer has ever completed two cycles in the same season.

John Reilly (Reds) and Tip O‘Neill (St. Louis Brown Stockings, American Association) had the shortest time between cycles at just seven days. Reilly’s came on September 12 and September 19, 1883. O’Neill’s came on April 30 and May 7, 1887. Reilly and Aaron Hill (Diamondbacks) are the only players with two cycles in the same calendar month. Hill achieved his on June 18 and 29, 2012.

It’s Been a Hard Day’s Night

The Expos’ Tim Foli is the only player to start a cycle one day and complete it the next. On April 21, 1976, Foli collected a single, double and triple in a contest against the Cubbies that was suspended (pre-Wrigley lights) in the top of the seventh due to darkness. When play resumed the following day, Foli added an eighth-inning home run. (The Expos prevailed 12-6.)

The longest time between cycles for a player with multiple cycles goes to the Royals’ George Brett (May 28, 1979 and July 25, 1990) at 11-years-58 days.
The youngest MLB player ever to hit for the cycle is the NY Giants’ Mel Ott (age 20, cycle on May 16, 1929).
The oldest player to hit for the cycle is The Angels’ Dave Winfield (age 39, cycle on June 24, 1991).

Like Father … Like Son

When Twins outfielder Gary Ward hit for the cycle in just his 14^th MLB game (September 18, 1980), he not only recorded the earliest (in terms of MLB games played) cycle ever, he also set the stage for an event that would add to the “rare and unique” nature of his cycle nearly a quarter-century later. On May 26, 2004, Ward’s son Daryle Ward – playing 1B and batting third for the Pirates as they took on the Cardinals in St. Louis – also hit for the cycle. Gary and Daryle Ward are the only father-son combination (to date) to hit for the cycle.

Three players have hit for the cycle in both the NL and AL: Bob Watson (NL Astros-1977 and AL Red Sox-1979); John Olerud (NL Mets-1997 and AL Mariners-2001); Michael Cuddyer (AL Twins-2009 and NL Rockies-2014).

The Marlins are the only MLB team to never

have a batter record a cycle.

Only one player has hit for the cycle for teams in two different leagues, but from, the same city. John Reilly hit for the cycle for the American Association Cincinnati Red Stockings twice in 1883 and then for the Cincinnati Reds of the National League in 1890.

Cycled, But Not Quite All the Way Home

Photo by rchdj10

The Yankees’ 1B Lou Gehrig (kind of) earned a cycle by being tossed out at the plate. On June 25, 1934, as New York topped Chicago 13-2 at Yankee Stadium, Gehrig hit two-run home run in the first inning; a single in the third; and a double in the sixth. Gehrig came up needing just the triple for the cycle in the seventh and hit a smash to deep center (scoring Yankees’ CF Ben Chapman). Gehrig wasn’t satisfied with a three-bagger and was thrown out at home (8-6-2) trying for an inside-the-park home run – thus getting credit for the triple he needed for a cycle.

On June 17 of last season, the Rockies’ Nolan Arenado completed his cycle with a bottom-of-the-ninth walk-off home run as Colorado topped San Francisco 7-5. It was just the sixth cycle to end in a walk-off long ball: Ken Boyer, Cardinals (September 14, 1961); Cesar Tovar, Twins (September 19, 1972); George Brett, Royals (May 28, 1979); Dwight Evans, Red Sox (June 28, 1984); Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies (July 31, 2010.)
The most cycles (all MLB teams) in any given season is eight (1933 and 2009).

Skipping a Generation, but Still Hitting the Cycle Bell

Pirates’ RF Gus Bell and Phillies’ 3B David Bell are the only grandfather-grandson combination to hit for the cycle (June 4, 1951 and June 28, 2004, respectively) The Bells did have opportunities for three generation of cycles. Here are the Bell family major leaguers:

First Generation … Gus Bell, Outfield … (MLB 1950-64)

Second Generation … Buddy Bell, 3B … (MLB 1972-89)

Third Generation … David Bell, 3B-2B … (MLB 1995-2006) & Mike Bell, 3B … (MLB 20000)

Only once in professional baseball has a player hit for the “Home Run Cycle” – solo, two-run, three-run and GrandSlam homers in the same game. Read that story here.

Primary Resources: Society for American Baseball Research; Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com; Baseball-Almanac.com

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

Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

Four Consecutive Long Balls in an Inning … and Eddie Started It All

June 8, 2018 by David

Baseball, especially when you are young, is all about heroes – and, for most fans, the status of those earliest heroes seems to last a lifetime. At my first-ever MLB game – back in April of 1953 – my Milwaukee Braves (newly moved from Boston) easily dispatched the Reds at County Stadium.

There were plenty of stars in that game for a youngster of six to idolize, like the Reds’ powerful first baseman and cleanup hitter Ted Kluszewski (I was Polish, after all), but he was on the wrong squad. The Braves’ offered speedy CF Billy Bruton; slick SS Johnny Logan and muscular first-sacker Joe Adcock. I, however, latched onto a fast-rising young star, future Hall of Famer Eddie Mathews, manning the hot corner for Milwaukee. Mathews hit a pair of home runs that day – the first one in the bottom of the first inning of my first MLB game. (As I recall, Logan hit one out as well.) On that day a hero was born. BBRT Note: The 21-year-old Mathews would go on to cement his hero status by leading the National League with 47 home runs in that first Milwaukee campaign (.302-47-135).

To this day, Mathews is my all-time favorite player – and I try not to miss an opportunity to mention him in these posts. Today offers one such opportunity – for it is the anniversary of the date in 1961, when Mathews hit the first home run, of the first-ever MLB streak of four consecutive round trippers in an inning. Let’s look at the seven teams to share that mark.

—-TEAMS TO HIT FOUR CONSECUTIVE HOME RUNS IN AN INNINGS—-

Braves (vs. Reds) – June 8, 1961 – Seventh Inning

On this date (June 8) in 1961, the Braves became the first MLB team to launch four consecutive home runs in an inning. It happened in the top of the seventh (versus the Reds) with the Braves trailing 10-2. As you would expect, it involved the heart of the Braves’ order, the 3-4-5-6 hitters. The key for me – the first round tripper of the streak was a two-run shot by Eddie Mathews. Oh, and right behind him came Hank Aaron. It seems fitting that the pair who hit more career home runs while teamates than any other MLB duo should get this party started. Here are the four home run hitters – and their career totals.

3B Eddie Mathews (two-run HR) … Career: 512 HR

CF Hank Aaron … Career: 755

1B Joe Adcock … Career: 336

LF Frank Thomas … Career: 286

Despite getting a home run from pitcher Warren Spahn and a second shot from Mathews in the game, the Braves lost 10-8. They are the only team to have four consecutive home runs in an inning and still lose the contest.

Indians (vs. Angels) – July 31, 1963 – Sixth Inning

On the final day of July in 1963, the Indians became just the second team (and the first American League squad) to pop four consecutive home runs in an inning. It came in the bottom of the sixth, with the Indians already up on the Angels by a 5-1 score. Surprisingly, this uprising began not in the middle of the order, but with the number eight hitter (and included pitcher Pedro Ramos). Here are the hitters and their career long ball totals.

2B Woodie Held (solo) … Career: 179 HR

P Pedro Ramos … Career: 15

LF Tito Francona … Career: 125

SS Larry Brown … Career: 47

The Indians won the game 9-5 – and also had a second home run by pitcher Ramos and one by 1B Fred Whitfield.

EIGHT IS ENOUGH

They didn’t rap four in a row, but on September 4, 1999, the Reds (vs. the Phillies) had an MLB-record eight different players go yard in the same game. The hitters were: C Ed Taubensee (two homers); 2B Pokey Reese; 3B Aaron Boone; LF Greg Vaughn; CF Jeffrey Hammonds; RF Dmitri Young; C Brian Johnson (who did not start); 3B Brian Lewis (who did not start). The Reds prevailed over the Phillies by a 22-3 score – and had six players with at least three RBI.

The record for home runs by a team in a game is ten, by the Toronto Blue Jays in an 18-3 win (September 14, 1987) over the Orioles in Toronto. The bashers were: C Ernie Whitt (three homers); 3B Lance Milliniks (two HR); LF George Bell (two HR); CF LLoyd Moseby; DH Fred McGriff; CF Rob Ducey (who didn’t start).

Twins (vs. KC Athletics) – May 2, 1964 – Eleventh Inning

On May 2, 1964, the Twins and Athletics went into the eleventh inning (at KC) tied a three runs apiece. Tony Oliva – batting in the two-hole – led off with a home run and was followed by round trippers from Bob Allison, Jimmie Hall and, appropriately for the Twins, Harmon Killebrew. Here are the players and their career long ball totals.

RF Tony Oliva … Career: 220 HR

1B Bob Allison … Career: 256

CF Jimmie Hall … Career: 121

LF Harmon Killebrew: Career: 573

The Twins topped the Athletics 7-3 – and are still the only MLB team to bash four consecutive home runs in an “extra inning.”

Red Sox (vs. Yankees) – April 22, 2007 – Third Inning

The Red Sox power surge (on April 22, 2007) had to be especially satisfying, as their four consecutive home runs came in Fenway against the rival Yankees. It all started in the bottom of the third, with two outs, no one on base cleanup hitter Manny Ramirez at the plate with the Red Sox trailing 3-0. It ended with the Red Sox up 4-3 and on their way to a 7-6 win. Here are the home run sluggers and their career long ball totals.

LF Manny Ramirez … Career: 555 HR

RF J.D. Drew … Career: 242

3B Mike Lowell … Career: 223

C Jason Varitek … Career: 193

Lowell, by the way, hit a second home run in the seventh inning of the game.

White Sox (vs Royals) – August 14, 2008 – Sixth Inning

On August 14, 2008, the White Sox torched the Royals 9-2 in Chicago – driven in large part by a six-run sixth that included four consecutive home runs from the fifth through eighths spots in the batting order. The Sox were up 3-2, when they started their half of the sixth with walks to Ken Griffey and Carlos Quentin, sandwiched between a pair of outs. Jim Thome then belted a three-run homer, followed by solo shots from Paul Konerko, Alexei Ramirez and Juan Uribe. Here are the home run hitters and their career totals.

DH Jim Thome … Career: 612

1B Paul Konerko … Career: 439

2B Alexei Ramirez … Career: 115

3B Juan Uribe … Career: 199

Diamondbacks (vs. Brewers) – August 11, 2010 – Fourth Inning

The Diamondbacks picked up a 8-2 win over the Brewers (in Milwaukee) in a game that featured four consecutive home runs – by the fourth through seventh hitters in the lineup – in the top of the fourth. The barrage started with one out and the Diamondbacks down 2-0, thanks to consecutive home runs by the Brewers’ Prince Fielder and Casey McGehee to open the bottom of the second. Here are the Diamondbacks’ home run hitters and their career totals.

1B Adam LaRoche … Career: 255 HR

C Miguel Montero … Career: 126 (still active)

3B Mark Reynolds … Career: 287 (still active)

SS Stephen Drew … Career: 123

The 2010 Diamondbacks are one of only two teams (the other is the 1961 Braves) to hit four consecutive home runs in an inning on the road. Five teams have given home town fans the joy of four consecutive yard blasts.

Nationals (vs. Brewers) – July 27, 2017 – Third Inning

In trouncing the Brewers 15-2 (in Washington) on July 27, 2017, the Nationals bashed eight home runs, including two each by Bryce Harper and Ryan Zimmerman. Four of those long balls came consecutively in the bottom of the third. It started with a two-run shot by Brian Goodwin, followed by homers from Wilmer Difo, Bryce Harper (his second of the game) and Ryan Zimmerman. The quartet was batting in the 1-4 spots in the order. Here are the hitters and their career home run totals.

CF Brian Goodwin … Career: 14 (still active)

SS Wilmer Difo … Career: 9 (still active)

RF Bryce Harper … Career: 168 still active0

1B Ryan Zimmerman … Career: 256 (still active)

The Nationals launched a fifth home run after their four consecutive shots – a fly out to center interrupted the home run string – in the third inning of that July 27, 2017 game. That one by 3B Anthony Rendon. The fifth homer tied the MLB record for most home runs in an inning by a team. Six teams have notched five long balls in an inning and four times the victims of the feat have been the Reds. For the full story on five-HR innings, click here.

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Filed Under: BB Fun Facts

A True Doubleheader … Gotta Love It!

June 7, 2018 by David

This Tuesday (June 5, 2018). I was lucky enough to attend my first true doubleheader (two games – one admission) in quite some time (White Sox at Twins). In this post, I’d like to share a few (a dozen to be precise) random thoughts – no earth-shaking insight or statistical wonders – from the experience.

Note: I would have shared these thoughts yesterday, but I spent the day celebrating a family birthday with a combination of roller coasters and champagne. Appropriately in that order.

So, here are a few thoughts that came to me as I took in nearly six hours of baseball during an eight-hour stay at Target Field.

One – Eight hours passes pretty darn quickly when you are at the ballpark.

Got to Target Field at about 2:00 p.m. (3:10 start), left at about 10:00 p.m. In between, saw five hours and 44 minutes of baseball. A great day! Oh yes, and you can make a lot of friends in eight hours. It seems that those who are willing – actually anxious – to take in two MLB games in a day are also ready to talk baseball. (And, it was a knowledgeable crowd, as well.) Had some great conversations about the MLB draft, the day’s lineup(s), the DH, pitch counts, the preponderance of strikeouts and home runs – and even the beauty of the double play.

Two – Two accurately completed scorecards bring twice the satisfaction.

Keeping score is one of the joys of the game (for me, at least). Two completed scorecards in one day – Double your pleasure. Double your fun. And kudos to the Twins for offering a scorecard in the FREE Twins Magazine. As a side observation, as I looked around my section, it appears that keeping a scorecard has gone the way of the sacrifice bunt.

TWIN BILL TIDBIT

The 1945 Boston Braves played an MLB-record 46 doubleheaders.

Three – A split doubleheader is not as frustrating as it used to be.

Back when twin bills were more commonplace – almost a Sunday tradition in my family – doubleheader splits were a frustrating experience. With true doubleheaders now a rare opportunity, that frustration is overwhelmed by the satisfaction of an MLB two-for-one deal. Win or lose, the true twin bill is a baseball bargain.

Four – Day and night baseball on the same date. Genius!

The contrast between a sunny afternoon game – bright blue sky, crisp green grass, stark white baseball (you get the idea) – and a night game, when you occupy a well-lit space in the blue-black atmosphere of the evening is right on the edge of spectacular.

TWIN BILL TIDBIT

The 1928 Boston Braves played a record nine consecutive doubleheaders over a 12-day span (September 4-15). During the streak, they swept one doubleheader, were swept six times and split two – for a four win/fourteen loss record.

Four – A book is a wonderful thing – pre-game and between games.

Get there early and catch up on some baseball reading before the game and (in that quiet time, 30-45 minutes) between games. I chose John Paciorek’s latest book “If I Knew THEN What I Know NOW,” reflections from the MLB player with, arguably, major league baseball’s greatest one-game career. Paciorek’s stat line: One MLB game (Houston Colt .45’s), five plate appearances, three hits and two walks (Yep, he never made an out on an MLB field), four runs scored and three RBI. You might want to check out Paciorek’s blog at johnpaciorek.com

Five – You always see something new at a ball game.

This time, we got to see the MLB debut of the Twins’ Zack Littell. Rough outing, but he did strike out the first MLB hitter he ever faced (Yoan Moncada) and I was lucky enough to be seated near what seemed to be a “personal” cheering sections of fans, family and friends. Every out – in fact, every strike – brought an appreciative roar.

Six – Baseball is about heroes, especially if you are young.

When the Twins’ Eduardo Escobar powered a Twins’ comeback (and a 4-2 win) in Game One with an eighth-inning, three-run home run to deep center, a youngster (about five-years-old) in our section – who had been cheering wildly for Brian Dozier’s every move – proudly announced that he now had two favorite players. Escobar justified his new status, going five-for-eight (three doubles and a home run) and driving in five in the Twins’ twin bill.

TWIN BILL TIDBIT

On May 2, 1954, Cardinals’ right fielder Stan Musial hit five home runs in doubleheader (versus the Giants in Saint Louis). Sitting in the stands that day was 8-year-old Nate Colbert who – On August 1, 1972 – would become just the second player ever to hit five home runs in a twin bill. Colbert was playing first base for the Padres, who were taking on the Braves in Atlanta. (Note: Musial and Colbert are still the only to MLBers with five long balls in a doubleheader.)

Seven – I still don’t like pitch counts.

White Sox’ starter Reynaldo Lopez had a one-hit shutout (and a 2-0 lead) after seven innings in the first game, but he’d reached 106 pitches – and so his day was done. (By the way, that would probably not have happened in the days when true doubleheaders were commonplace.) The results? A Twins’ four-run eighth inning rally. I’ll take the win, but do find it disappointing that pitchers finishing what they started has gone the way of fans keeping scorecards and players laying down successful sacrifices.

TWIN BILL TIDBIT

On September 26, 1908 Cubs’ righty Ed Reulbach started both games of a doubleheader against Brooklyn. He went the distance in both contests, giving up just eight hits over the 18 innings. Reulbach is the only MLB pitcher ever to record two complete-game shutouts in a single day.

Eight – Sponsors – Sponsors – Sponsors

It seems like we now have sponsors for everything, like the (pictured) field stripes brought to you by Toro or the Renters Warehouse Challenge.

Nine – Freebies are still fun.

We were all rewarded for our endurance with a Dozier-Buxton Gold Glove T-Shirt. Actually, they gave them to us on the way into the park; but nearly all fans stuck around and earned the “prize.”

TWIN BILL TIDBIT

On May 31, 1964, Mets fans faced a long day of suffering. Not only did the New Yorkers lose both ends of a doubleheader to the San Francisco Giants – it took them a doubleheader-record 32 innings (9 hours and 52 minutes) to do it. The Giants won game one 5-3 in a brisk 2:29. The second game, however, went 23 innings (7:23), with the Giants winning 8-6. This is the longest doubleheader by innings and the longest in time – without a weather delay.

On July 2, 1993, the Padres and Phillies split a twin bill in Philadelphia that kept the fans (who stayed on) in the park for more than 12 hours. Consider the patience needed. The game was delayed one hour and ten minutes before the first pitch; another one hour and 56 minutes in the fourth inning; and two hours and 48 minutes in the sixth. The teams began play at 4:35 p.m. on Friday, July 2 and wrapped up at 4:40 a.m. Saturday – a doubleheader record 12 hours and five minutes.

Ten – I still don’t like the “shifty” trend in baseball.

As John Dewan tells us in his “Shift Update” (in the 2018 edition of The Bill James Handbook), MLB teams are “shifting” more than ten times as often as they did in 2011 (26,705 times in 2017). For me (remember I keep a basic scorecard), when the third baseman moves over to the right field side of second base and the second baseman becomes a RF “rover,” the baseball universe seems out of balance. On top of that, if the ball is hit to the third basemen, playing where the second baseman usually crouches, penciling in “5-3” on the scorecard just doesn’t feel right.

Eleven – Baseball food is better than ever.

Okay, I’m pretty old school – don’t care for the DH, the challenge or the “Wave ‘em to first” intentional walk – but I must say I don’t miss the good old days when your concession choices were pretty much limited to pop and beer, hot dogs, peanuts, Cracker Jack and licorice ropes. In game one, I munched on a gyros wrap that was delicious and, in game two, it was a smoked beef sandwich on a garlic bun. For my post on great new ball park offerings in 2018, click here.

Twelve – Ernie Banks was right.

Cubs’ Hall of Famer Ernie Banks was quoted often as saying “Let’s play two!” He was right!

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The Wizards of Whiff … All about pitchers fanning 9+ batters per nine innings.

June 4, 2018 by David

In today’s hard-throwing/free-swinging version of the national pastime, strikeouts continue to increase annually (and from BBRT’s point of view, alarmingly). In fact, the MLB total strikeout record has been broken in each of the past ten MLB seasons. In this post, Baseball Roundtable will take a look at the “Wizards of the Whiff” – the best of MLB’s strikeout artists – those who averaged at least one strikeout per inning over the course of an entire season. What you may find surprising is that a pretty good number of these mound aces, pitched before the recent spike in strikeouts. (Note: I’ll be using the same qualifications as MLB uses for the earned run average title – at least one inning pitched for each game the team has played.)

HERB SCORE-d The First 9+ Season in 1955

The Indians’ Herb Score, in 1955, became the first major league pitcher to average at least nine-strikeouts per nine innings (9.70). His performance earned him 16 wins (10 losses); a 2.85 earned run average, the league leadership in strikeouts, the AL Rookie of the Year Award and a place in MLB history.

It was April 15, 1955 and a 22-year-old southpaw named Herb Score was making his major league mound debut for the Cleveland Indians (versus the Tigers in Detroit). Score was signed by the Indians on June 7, 1962 – which also happened to be his 19^th birthday. The 6’2”, 185-pounder proved to be a remarkable talent, and he made his way to the major leagues by Opening Day 1955. (It 1954, Score went 22-5, 2.62 with 330 strikeouts in 251 innings for the Triple A Indianapolis Indians of the American Association, earning recognition as the Sporting News Minor League Player of the Year.)

In his first MLB start, Score went the distance in a 7-3 Indians’ win and foreshadowed things to come by fanning nine batters in nine frames. He went on to pitch in 32 games (33) starts; go 16-10 and strike out 245 batters in 227 1/3 innings – setting a new rookie-season strikeout record (broken by the Mets’ Dwight Gooden, with 276 in 1984, but still the AL rookie record). Score also became the first qualifying pitcher to average nine or more strikeouts per nine innings (9.70). The following season, he recorded MLB’s second season of 9+ strikeouts per nine innings at 9.49. Those were the only two 9+ seasons in MLB history until 1960, when the Dodgers’ Sandy Koufax made this a club of two. (More on Koufax later).

Unfortunately, Score’s career was cut short by arm trouble, which some felt was related to injuries suffered in 1957, when a line drive off the bat of the Yankees’ Gil McDougald struck Score in the face. (He pitched in only 17 games in 1957-58.) Speculation was that Score altered his motion after that injury. Score himself said the arm issues were unrelated – but that’s another story. After going 36-19, 2.68 in his first two seasons (and leading the AL in whiffs each campaign), Score ended an eight-season MLB career at 55-46, 3.36 with 837 strikeouts in 858 1/3 innings pitched.

SOMETHING’S HAPPENING HERE

As you might expect, as overall strikeouts have soared, so have the number of pitchers who are whiffing a batter per inning or more. There were no such season before 1955 – and only two in the 1950’s. Of the total of 244 such campaigns, 109 (44.7 percent) occurred between 2010-2017.

IT’S A NEW AGE

Through 2017, 104 MLB pitchers have put together a total of 244 campaigns of nine or more strikeouts per nine innings. Fifty of those 104 pitches (48 percent) are currently active.

In 2017, we saw a record 20 pitchers achieve nine or more strikeouts per nine innings: Chris Sale (12.93); Robbie Ray (12.11); Max Scherzer (12.02); Corey Kluber (11.70); Chris Archer (11.15); Luis Severino (10.71); Jacob deGrom (10.78); Stephen Strasberg (10.47); Clayton Kershaw (10.39); Jimmy Nelson (10.21); Carlos Carrasco (10.17); Yu Darvish (10.08); Trevor Bauer (10.00); Jose Quintana (9.87); Aaron Nola (9.86); Masahiro Tanaka (9.79); Justin Verlander (9.57); Zack Greinke (9.56); Carlos Martinez (9.53); Drew Pomeranz (9.02).

OOPS! I DID IT AGAIN.

No one racked up more seasons averaging at least one strikeout per inning than all-time MLB strikeout king (5,714 career whiffs) Nolan Ryan. The Hall of Fame righty met that standard in 14 of his 27 MLB campaigns. Second on the list (and first among southpaws) is Randy Johnson with 12 such seasons. Those two are responsible for 10.7 percent of MLB’s 9+ strikeouts per nine innings campaigns.

STRANGE BUT TRUE

Rickey Nolasco had more seasons averaging 9+ strikeouts per nine innings (1) than Bob Gibson and Bob Feller combined. Gibson’s high was 8.39 K/9 in 1970 and Feller’s top was 8.43 in 1946. Nolasco fanned 9.49 per nine innings for the Marlins in 2009.

Among active pitchers, the Nationals’ Max Scherzer and Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw lead the way with seven seasons each of nine or more strikeouts per nine innings.

ONE FOR THE AGES

Dwight Gooden is the only teenager to have a major league season in which he averaged nine or more whiffs per nine innings. In his rookie season, the 19-year-old Mets’ righty fanned a rookie-record and NL-leading 276 batters (218 innings pitched) for a K/9 ratio of 11.39.

Nolan Ryan recorded a season of one of more strikeouts per inning at the oldest age. He was 44-years-old when he fanned 203 batters in 173 innings (10.56 K/9) for the Rangers in 1991. Overall, there have been eight 9+ K/9 seasons by pitchers in their forties.

The most popular age bracket for recording a season of one or more whiff per nine frames is 25-29 – 126 of the 244 seasons (51.6 percent) have been recorded by pitchers in the age group. Other age range percentages: 20-24 (20.9%); 30-34 (18.9%); 35-39 (4.9%); 40+ (3.3%).

THE BEST OF THE BEST

Photo by SD Dirk

To date, the highest strikeout per nine innings ratio recorded over a season came in 2001, when 37-year-old Randy Johnson (then with the Diamondbacks) notched 13.41 strikeouts per nine innings. The Big Unit went 21-6 that season, with a league-low 2.49 ERA and a league-topping 372 strikeouts in 249 2/3 innings – earning his third of four straight Cy Young Awards. As I put this post together, Max Scherzer stands at 13.56 strikeouts per nine innings for the 2018 season.

13 CAN BE A LUCKY NUMBER

Only two pitchers have recorded seasons in which they fanned 13+ per nine innings. Randy Johnson (Diamondbacks) in 2001 at 13.41 and Pedro Martinez (Red Sox) in 1999 at 13.29.

There have been ten seasons of 12+ (in addition to the 13+ seasons noted above) strikeouts per nine inningS. Five of those belong to Randy Johnson (1995, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000). The following hurlers each have one season of 12+ K/9: Kerry Wood (1998); Jose Fernandez (2016); Chris Sale (2017); Max Scherzer (2017); and Robbie Ray (2017).

AS EASY AS 1-2-3

The 2017 season marked the first time in MLB history that a team could boast three qualifying pitchers with K/9 ratios of nine or better:

Cleveland Indians – Corey Kluber (11.71); Carlos Carrasco (10.17); and Trevor Bauer (10.00)

Note: Up until (and including) 1995, there had been only six seasons with at least three 9+ K/9 pitchers in all of MLB. Four in 1965 and three each in 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, and 1995.

Cleveland was also the first team to have at least two pitchers reached the 9+ K/9 mark – back in 1965, when Sam McDowell (10.71) and Sonny Siebert (9.11) did it.

HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED

As I post this, 2018 statS show 31 qualifying pitchers with K/9 rates of nine or better – with Max Scherzer on top at 13.56 and the Astros boasting four starters at that whiff-level (Gerrit Cole -12.78; Charlie Morton (11.34); Justin Verlander (10.72); and Lance McCullers, Jr. (9.35).

THE BIG TRAIN COULD MOW THEM DOWN

Photo by pingnews.com

Walter Johnson (Senators … 1907-1927) was clearly the power pitcher of his time; He led his league in strikeouts an MLB-record 12 times and in strikeouts per nine innings six times. Still, his highest-ever K/( rate was 7.6 and, in 1921, he led the AL at 4.9.

A final thought: As I post this (as of June 4), six of the top ten career leaders in strikeouts per nine innings are active; It goes like this, with *=Active:

*Chris Sale – 10.64

Randy Johnson – 10.61

*Stephen Strasburg – 10.55

* Max Scherzer – 10.33

Kerry Wood – 10.32

Pedro Martinez – 10,04

*Corey Kluber – 9.87

*Clayton Kershaw – 9.86

* Chris Archer – 9.66

Nolan Ryan – 9.55

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BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE MAY UPDATE – A DAY LATE, BUT NOT A DOLLAR SHORT

June 2, 2018 by David

Apologies are in order. I know Baseball Roundtable’s May Wrap Up is a day late, but I have a good excuse. What’s better than writing about baseball? Watching it … and this weekend I am taking in the NCAA Regionals (first round) here at the Unviersity of Minnesota’s Siebert Field. Side note: Gophers won their first game (against Coniscius by a 10-1 margin. Next up: UCLA.

Since I am a day late, I’ll try not to be a dollar short; and give you your money’s worth of observations on MLB May baseball. (Keep in mind, you are reading this for free.) It is a long post – 31 days of stats and highlights – but I think I’ve included a little something for everyone along the way. So, let’s get on with the traditional BBRT look at the stories and statistics that caught my eye in May.

TROT INDEX …

Through May 31, 35.0 percent of all MLB 2018 plate appearances have ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We are talking about strikeouts (we’ve still seen more strikeouts than base hits this season), home runs, walks and hit by pitch – all outcomes that are, bascially, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field (unless of course a hit batsman should charge the mound). Even if you subscribe to the “fans love the long ball” theory (and take out home runs), about one-of-three MLB plate appearances this season have ended without a ball being put in play.

Now, before we get into more detail, here are a few surface observations from May.

The Giants’ Chris Stratton went 4-1 in May, with a 6.31 earned run average in six starts; while the Mets’ Jacob deGrom won only once in five starts (1-0), despite an MLB-best 0.69 May ERA. Does that seem fair.
The Red Sox displayed power and speed in May – leading MLB in home runs for the month (50) and tying for the lead in stolen bases (22).
The Nationals and Astros were the only teams to record earned run averages under 3.00 for May – 2.51 and 2.82, respectively.
No team recorded more pinch-hit at bats in May then the Dodgers, with 58. They delivered just 10 hits, for a .172 average.
In May. three pitching staffs averaged 10+ strikeouts per nine innings (Red Sox – 10.13; Astros – 10.06); Yankees – 10.02). BBRT finds it interesting that they are all in the AL, where pitchers do not hit.
Royals’ OF Jon Jay had the second most hits in MLB in May (43 in 117 at bats – .368) – but did not hit a single home run. Jay, in fact, has the most at bats THROUGH MAY of any player without a roundtripper – 218. The 5′ 11, 195-pound left-handed hitter has 33 home runsin nine MLB seasons.
Giants’ SS Brandon Crawaford, who hit just .189 in March/April, hit .412 in May. What a comeback!
The Giants had MLB second-highest May batting average (.281 – only the Indians were higher at .283) adn second-most hits, but only managed to score the 11th most runs. (They were 23rd in home runs with 27.)
Arizona hit just .193 at a team for May – the only team under .200.

MORE ON BBRT’S CONTENTION THAT IN BASEBALL WE COUNT/TRACK “EVERYTHING.”

MLB.COM reports that, on May 31, when Indians SS Francisco Lindor rapped two home runs and two doubles (driving in four tallied) to help the Triube top the Twins 9-8, he made a little history – joining Rafael Palmeiro (1993(, Jim Edmonds (2003) and Adrian Beltre (2007) as the only players to have two games with two home runs and two doubles in the same season. Lindor also did it on May 12 – against the Royals.

Still not convinced we count everything? Found this factoid in a trivia collection some time ago. Yankee pitcher Jim Bouton, of the small hats and violent follow-through, holds the record for the most times having his hat fall of in a World Series game – 37. Yep, it’s reported that somebody watched the film of Game Three of the 1964 Series, when Bouton and the Yankees topped the Cardinals 2-1, and counted.

Before we get into the standings, here’s BBRT’s Players and Pitchers of the Month.

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BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS/PITCHERS OF THE MONTH FOR MAY

AL PLAYER OF THE MONTH … Francisco Lindor, SS, Indians

Photo by Keith Allison

It was a close competition, but Indians’ SS Francisc0 Lindor gets the nod. Lindor put up a .382-10-23 stat line – good for the second-highest May AL average; third-most home runs; and seventh-most RBI. He also led the league in both runs scored (27) and base hits (44) for the month.

Other Contenders: 1) Red Sox’ RF Mookie Betts gets the nod. Betts hit .372 for the month – and showed power and speed. His nine May home runs tied for fifth in the league and his ten stolen bases (in 11 attempts) were tops in the AL. Betts also scored 23 runs and drove in 19. 2) Indians’ LF Michael Brantley, who put up a .333-7-26 line for the month (the 26 May RBI led the AL) and scored 26 times. In addition, his May included a 19-game hitting streak.

AL PITCHER OF THE MONTH … James Paxton, Mariners

Photo by hj_west

The Mariners’ James Paxton went 3-0, 1.67 in six May starts – including a no-hitter (May 8) against the Blue Jays. He was one of only four AL pitchers to strike out 50 or more batters in the month (his 51 whiffs in 43 innings were second only to the Red Sox’ Chris Sale) – and he walked just nine. His numbers were similar to his closest competition. That no-hitter is what gave him a slight edge. (Also, I was at the Twins’ Home Opener and was impressed at how stoically he handled “the eagle landing.”)

Other Contenders: 1) The Astros’ Justin Verlander pounded the strike zone in May – and he had to. In six May starts, the Astros provided him with only 12 runs – and nine of those came in his final two appearances. As a result, Verlander was only 3-2 for the month – despite the AL’s lowest May earned run average at 0.86. He was also one of only four AL pitchers to fan fifty batters (41 2/3 innings) in the month – and he walked only seven. 2) Luis Severino of the Yankees went 4-0 in May, with a 2.03 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 40 innings to earn a spot here.

NL PLAYER OF THE MONTH … Brandon Crawford, SS, Giants

Photo by DandreaPhotography

Wow! This was a squeaker. But you simply have to go with the guy who hit .400 for the month. That would be Giants’ SS Brandon Crawford, who put up a .412-4-21 line and also rapped nine doubles and scored 16 runs. Crawford was held hitless in only four of 27 May games and had 13 multi-hit contests. Crawford would not have been considered a favorite for this recognition at the start of the month – he hit just .189 for March/April.

Other Contenders: BBRT’s other contenders were both Reds’ infielders. 1) Close behind Crawford was the Reds’ 2B Scooter Gennett, who hit .398, collected the NL’s fourth-most hits (37), popped eight home runs (third in the NL for May), drove in 24 (also third) and scored 16 runs. 2) Also in the running was Reds’ 3B Eugenio Suarez, who led the NL with 29 May RBI – and also hit .296 with eight long balls. Ultimately, Crawford’s .400 won the day – or month.

NL PITCHER OF THE MONTH … Max Scherzer, Nationals

Photo by Corn Farmer

Talk about consistent excellence! The National’s Max Scherzer came into May as the only MLB pitcher with five victories (5-1). He also had an NL-topping 57 strikeouts (39 innings) and a 1.62 earned run average in March/April. In May, he continued his scorching pace, going 4-0, 2.21 in six starts, while leading led all of MLB with 63 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings (just ten walks). What more can you say?

Other Contenders: 1) The Dodgers’ Ross Stripling earned a spot here on the basis of a May record of three wins and no losses, a 1.20 earned run average and 41 strikeouts against just four walks (in 30 innings). In his last three May starts, Stripling fanned 28 batters in 19 2/3 innings (two walks), gave up just two earned runs and picked up three victories. Not bad for a pitcher who started the season in the bullpen and had only one start before May 1. 2) Got to give a mention to the Braves’ Sean Newcomb, MLB’s only five-game winner in May (5-0) – who proved you don’t have to strike out nine-plus every nine innings to be effective. Newcomb fanned 30 batters in 35 innings (16 walks), but gave up just 19 hits, for a 1.54 May ERA. 3) Okay, they weren’t really in the running, but I have to give a nod here to Jacob deGrom who put up an MLB-low 0.69 ERA in five May starts, fanning 37 batters in 26 innings, but picked up just one win (in his five May starts, the Mets scored a total of nine runs) and the Phillies’ Jake Arrieta, who went just 2-1 in five May starts, despite a 0.90 ERA.

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With the monthly recognitions out of the way, let’s take a look at the standings and the best and worse team performance in May. Note: If you are more interested in unique plays and achievement, scroll down a bit to find them.

IF THE SEASON HAD ENDED MAY 31, YOUR PLAYOFF TEAMS WOULD BE …

American League: Red Sox, Indians, Astros. Wild Cards: Yankees; Mariners

National League: Braves, Brewers, Rockies. Wild Cards: Nationals, Phillies.

Note: Full standings and month of May records can be found in a box, just before the year-to-date statistics.

May was a big month for the Brewers and Nationals in the National League and the Red Sox, Yankees and Mariners over in the junior circuit.

THE BEST OF THE NL IN MAY

The Nats and Brew Crew were the only teams to win 19 games in May – going 19-7 and 19-8, respectively. The surge moved the Nationals from fourth place in the NL East (5 ½ games behind the Mets) to second place (just ½ game behind the Braves). The Mets who went 10-18 in May, fell to fourth. The key to the Nationals’ NL-best record was pitching, as Washington recorded the NL’s lowest May ERA (2.51) – led by Max Scherzer (4-0, 2.21 in May); Gio Gonzalez (3-0, 1.47); Stephen Strasburg (4-1, 2.51); and Jeremy Hellickson (2-0, 1.30); as well as eight saves and a 1.46 ERA from Sean Doolittle. The Brewers’ ERA was a middle of the pack 3.76, but they scored the NL’s second-most May runs (132). Among the keys to the Brewers’ attack were Christian Yelich (.330-5-17, with a league-leading 22 runs scored); Jesus Aguilar (.272-8-22); and Travis Shaw (.261-8-22).

THE BEST OF THE AL IN MAY

In the AL, The Red Sox (21-7 in March/April) needed their 18-11 May to stay in front of the Yankees, who went 17-7. Boston ended May just 1 ½ game ahead of New York. The Mariners also won 18 games in May (11 losses), to move within a game of the Astros (16-12 in May). How did these teams do it? Like the Brewers in the NL, the Red Sox and Yankees had middle of the pack (7^th and 8^th) earned run averages, but they scored the second- and fourth-most runs in the AL. The Yankees got an unexpected boost from Gleyber Torres (.317-9-24 in May) and expected power from Aaron Judge (.266-8-22). The Red Sox offense was led by J.D. Martinez (.299 with a league-topping 13 home runs for the month); Mookie Betts (.372-9-19); and Andrew Benitendi. (349-6-23). The Mariners scored the AL’s ninth-most runs, but put up the league’s second-lowest ERA for the month (3.13). The Seattle staff was led in May by James Paxton (3-0, 1.67). In addition, starters Wade LeBlanc and Marco Gonzalez – while only going 3-1 in a combined 11 starts – kept the Mariners in games with ERAs of 1.72 and 2.30, respectively,

EVERY COIN HAS TWO SIDES

At the wrong end of the May spectrum were four teams that failed to win ten games during the month: White Sox and D-backs (each 8-19) and Blue Jays and Orioles (each 9-19). The Orioles are the furthest out of any division race – 21 ½ games behind the Red Sox at the end of play May 31. The road to the bottom was paved, in great part, by pitching lapses. The White Sox, Blue Jays and Orioles all put up May ERA’s over 5.00. The D-backs bucked that trend, with a middle-of-the-road 3.87 May ERA, but they scored MLB fewest runs (77 in 27 games) and hit an MLB-low .193 for the month. Among the Arizona disappointments – Paul Goldschmidt (.144 in 97 at bats); Nick Ahmed (.146 in 89 at bats); and Chris Owings (.151 in 73 trips to the plate)

Here are the team stats for May – and a few BBRT observations.

TEAM STATISTICS (leaders) FOR THE MONTH OF MAY

RUNS SCORED … MLB Team Average – 120

AL: Indians (179); Red Sox (144); Astros (138)

NL: Cubs (144); Brewers (132); Braves (131)

The Diamondbacks scored an MLB-low 77 runs in May (27 games). The A’s were at the bottom of the AL with 104. Other teams scoring fewer than 100 runs over the month were the Marlins (96), Padres (97) and Mets (98). Arizona was also the only team to hit under .200 – as a team – for the month, at an anemic .193). Ouch!

BATTING AVERAGE … MLB Team Average – .248

AL: Indians (.283); Royals (.268); Red Sox (.264)

NL: Giants (.281); Cubs (.273); Brewers (.265)

HOME RUNS … MLB Team Average – 33

AL: Red Sox (50); Indians (48); Yankees (47)

NL: Nationals (41); Brewers (37); Cubs (36)

The Marlins and D-backs were the most power-starved clubs in May (22 home runs each).

STOLEN BASES … MLB Team Average – 13

AL: White Sox, Mariners & Red Sox (22)

NL: Padres (19); D-backs & Rockies (18)

The Marlins stole only four bases in May (in nine attempts), MLB’s lowest total number of steals and second-worst success rate (44.4 percent). Oakland swiped the fewest bags in the AL (5) and A’s runners were caught ten times for a 33.3 percent success rate.

STRIKEOUTS … MLB Team Average – 232

AL: Rangers (292); Blue Jays (271); A’s (260)

NL: Giants (261); D-backs (255); Padres (249)

The Angels and Rays led MLB in grounding into double plays in May at 32 each. Saint Louis led in in sacrifices (not sacrifice flies) with 16. The Mets had zero successful sacrifice hits in May.

WALKS DRAWN … MLB Average – 88

AL: Angels (124); Rangers (101); Indians (98)

NL: Cubs (122); Braves (103); Dodgers (97)

The Phillies, Cubs and Marlins tied for the MLB lead in May pinch hits (13), while the Orioles topped the major leagues with a .556 pinch-hiting average for the month (5-for-9). Rangers’ pinch-hitters logged seven at bats – and seven outs.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE … MLB Average – 4.05

AL: Astros (2.82); Mariners (3.13); Rays (3.39)

NL: Nationals (2.51); Phillies (3.00); Dodgers (3.10)

Six teams finished May with ERA’s north of 5.00: the Giants (5.39); Blue Jays (5.35); Royals (5.19); Marlins (5.13); Orioles (5.08); White Sox (5.07).

STRIKEOUTS … MLB Average – 232

AL: Red Sox (295); Astros (282); Indians (258)

NL: Dodgers (273); Nationals (260); Phillies (246)

Astros’ pitchers racked up May’s best strikeout-to-walk ratio at 4.15. They had MLB’s second-most strikeouts and second-fewest walks for the month.

SAVES … MLB Average – 7

AL: Red Sox (12); A’s (10); three with nine

NL: Padres (11); Dodgers & Nationals (10)

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Now let’s take a look at some plays and achievements that caught BBRT’s eye.

—–A FEW HIGLIGHTS FROM MAY—-

Pujols Joins an Elite Club

On May 3, as the Angels topped Seattle 5-0, Albert Pujols collected his 3,000th MLB hit – a fifth-inning single. The safety made him one of just four MLB players to collect both 3,000 hits and 600 home runs. Pujols joins Hank Aaron (3,771 hits, 755 home runs); Willie Mays (3,283 hits and 660 home runs); and Alex Rodriguez (3,115 hits and 696 home runs) in that elite club. Note: 3,000 hits seem the most attainable of those two landmark numbers: 32 Players have reached 3,000 or more hits, while just nine have hit 600 or more home runs.

The Hit Man Retires

Photo by Keith Allison

On May 3, the Seattle Mariners announced the Ichiro Suzuki was transitioning to a front office role – retiring a swing that had produced 3,089 MLB hits, two batting titles and the AL Rookie of the Year AND Most Valuable Player Award in 2001. Ichiro was a ten-time All Star, ten-time Gold Glover and started his MLB career with a record ten consecutive seasons of 200 or more safeties (leading the league in hits seven times). He also holds the MLB record for hits in a season with 262 (in 2004). He career MLB average was .311 with a high of .372 in 2004. Before joining the Seattle Mariners in 2001 (at age 27), Ichiro was a star in Japan – collecting 1,278 hits and winning seven batting titles in nine seasons (a .353 average)

Scooter Gennett – a Pretty FOUR-tunate Guy

Last season, as you may recall, Reds’ 2B Scooter Gennett tied an MLB record by homering four times in one game (for the full story on that game, click here). He also hit four Grand Slams in 2017 – joining Lou Gehrig as the only two players to have a four-homer game and four “four-run” round trippers in the same season. This season, when Reds’ fans often have little to cheer “for,” Gennett gave them a boost by homering in four straight games – May 7-10. In that streak Gennett went 10-for-17 (.588), with two doubles, four home runs, ten RBI and six runs scored. Surprisingly, he did not draw a single walk (nor did he strikeout) over the four contests All BBRT can say is “Four goodness sakes!”

OH No-No, You Don’t

On May 4, Dodger pitchers threw just the 12th “combined” no-hitter in MLB history – as Dodger hurlers Walker Buehler (six innings), Tony Cingrani (one inning); Yimi Garcia (one inning); and Adam Liberatore (one inning) held the Padres hitless in a 4-0 win. For more on combined no-hitters, click here.

James Paxton Finishes What He Starts – For the First Time – in a Big Way

Photo by hj_west

On May 8, Seattle southpaw James Paxton (in his sixth MLB season) pitched his first-ever MLB complete game – and he made it count. Not only did he top the Blue Jays 5-0, his gem was also the third no-hitter of thee 2018 MLB season. Paxton also became just the second Canadian-born major leaguer to throw an MLB no-hitter and the first to do so in Canada. Paxton used just 99 pitches, the 12th no-hitter under 100 pitches thrown since pinch-count data is considered complete and accurate (1988). For more on hurlers who first complete game was a no-hitter, click here.

Persistence – This Mann Has It

In June 2002, 18-year-old southpaw Brandon Mann was selected by Tampa Bay in the 27th round of the MLB draft. In 16 professional seasons, Morrow played for 17 different teams at pretty much every level except the major leagues – both in the U.S. and Japan. He pitched 1,270 2/3 minor, independent and foreign league innings, with a 4.35 earned run average. Finally, on May 13 of this season – just three days shy of his 34th birthday, Mann “got the call.” He made his MLB debut for the Rangers against the Astros on May 13, with 1 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. He appeared again on May 15 and May 19 – each time tossing 1 2/3 scoreless frames. Mann was optioned back to Triple A Round Rock on May 24. His career MLB stats, so far, three games, five innings, two hits, two walks, one strikeout and 0.00 earned run average. My guess, he’ll be back.

Save the Last Dance (or inning) for Me – I’m Kinda in a Hurry

Photo by Keith Allison

On May 5, Red Sox reliever Craig Kimbrel did what he does best – closed the door on a ball game. He came into the contest in the bottom of the ninth, with the Red Sox leading the Rangers 6-5. He used eleven pitches to induce a foul pop out from 3B Renato Nunes and swinging strikeouts by C Robinson Chirinos and pinch-hitter Ronald Guzman. It was Kimbrel’s 300th save – making him the youngest pitcher to achieve 300 saves (29), as well as the quickest in terms of appearances (494) and save opportunities (330).

Don’t Worry, I’ll Make Up For It

Photo by Keith Allison

On May 11, Red Sox C Sandy Leon came to the plate in the top of the fourth with the Red Sox/Blue Jays game tied at two runs each, Red Sox’ 2B Brock Holt on first and two out. Leon swung and missed a change up from Jays’ pitcher Aaron Sanchez. The ball got by catcher Luke Maile (passed ball) and Leon sprinted toward first. Maile recovered the horsehide and fired to first – well, actually fired into right field. On the play, Holt scored all the way from first base to give the Sox the lead – and Leon made it into third.

Maile, however, made up for his double miscue. The 24-year-old rookie had already driven in one of the Blue Jays’ first two tallies with a second-inning single. In the seventh, with Toronto trailing 3-2. Maile hit his first MLB home run (with two out and no one on) to tie the game. It came off Red Sox’ ace Chris Sale. Later, with one on and no one out in the bottom of the twelfth, Maile hit his second home run of the game – and second of his career – for a walk-off 5-3 Toronto victory. I doubt if anyone (until now) even remembered that passed ball and errant throw.

Mariners’ backstop David Freitas was not so lucky. On May 16, he let a third strike (from pitcher Marc Rzepczynski – had to get that name in this post somewhere – past the Rangers’ Ronald Guzman) get by him. There were two out and the bases were loaded, with the Rangers ahead 1-0. As Freitis retrieved the (passed) ball and fired (late) to first baseman Ryon Healy, Rangers’ SS Jurickson Profar (who had been on third) scored. Seeing the throw to first, Texas’ 3B Isiah Kiner-Falefa (who had been on second) rounded third and beat the throw home – giving Texas two runs on a strikeout. The Rangers won 5-0 and Freitas went zero-for-three.

Merry-Go-Round the Bases (More of “We track everything.’)

On May 14, the Brewers’ Tyler Saladino was called on to pinch hit for pitcher Josh Hader with two out and one on in the top of the ninth (the Brewers were leading 5-2 at the time). It was Saladino’s first home run since August 29, 2016 – a span of 96 games played – and it was also his first-ever inside-the-park round tripper. It was also the Brewers’ first-ever pinch-hit inside-the-parker.

What Goes Down Must Come Up … If You Are Jose Altuve

Photo by Keith Allison

If you are Astros’ second baseman Jose Altuve – coming off your fourth straight season of 200 or more base hits (leading the league in each campaign) – slumps, even mini-slumps, are a rarity. So, there was a bit of surprise in the Houston dugout when Altuve went without a hit from the fourth inning of a May 23 game against the Giants through the sixth inning of a May 25 game versus the Indian – a stretch of 11 at bats, during which he dropped his average from .318 to .301. During the negative streak, he logged six ground ball outs, two fly outs and two strikeouts. Note: Altuve collected 845 hits in the four seasons from 2014 to 2017, leading the league in hits every year and winning three batting titles.

When you are as good as Altuve, what goes down must come up. Altuve doubled in the eighth inning of that May 25^th game – and went on to record hits in his next nine at bats (through the eighth inning of a May 27 game against the Indians). He was finally stopped on a spectacular catch by Indians’ CF Rajai Davis in the final inning of that May 26 contest. During the streak, Altuve collected four singles, three doubles, one triple and one home run. He scored six runs, drove in six and raised his average from .301 to .333.

The record for most consecutive base hits is 12 – shared by Walt Dropo of the Giants (1952) and Pinky Higgins of the Red Sox (1938). Dropo’s record came in 12 consecutive plate appearances, while Higgins streak was interrupted by two walks (which do not count as at bats).

____________________________________________________

May 26 — The Hall of Fame Classic

May 26 marked the Tenth Annual MLB Hall of Fame Classic – played at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown, New York. The contest featured two teams made up of retired MLB players – The Knucksies, managed by Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers and the Wizards, managed by Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith. (HOFers Goose Gossage, Eddie Murray, Gaylord Perry and Tim Raines served as coaches.) Each MLB team had a (retired) player-representative on the rosters.

The Knucksies prevailed by a 6-0 scored, with Shane Victorino collecting two hits, scoring one run, driving in two and earning the Bob Feller Player of the Game Award. A.J. Pierzynski won this year’s Hall of Fame Classic Home Run Derby.

____________________________________________________

Verlander Fans Ohtani for 2,500th Career Whiff

No doubt, Astros’ starter Justin Verlander is having a great season – at the close of May he was 7-2, with an MLB-low 1.11 earned run average and 98 strikeouts in 81 1/3 innings. Along the way, on May 16, he also notched a landmark strikeout – number 2,500 of this career – during a five-hit shutout against the Los Angeles Angels. The victim was the Angels’ star rookie pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and it came as Ohtani – who was zero-for-four with three whiffs against Verlander – led off the ninth with the Angels down 2-0. For the day, Verlander went the distance, giving up five hits and one walk, while fanning seven.

Photo by shinya

After the Angels’ much-publicized Japanese league star pitcher/designated hitter Shohei Ohtani put up a 27.00 earned run average and .125 batting average in Spring Training, skeptics predicted a long adjustment to the Major Leagues. Oops! Through May, only eight players with at least 25 plate appearances with runners in scoring position were hitting over .400 in those situations. One of them was Ohtani – at .417. Through May, he is hitting .292 with six home runs and 20 RBI in 31 games. As a pitcher, his March-May numbers are 4-1, 3.18 in eight start.

All You Need it Glove

On Friday May 18, Pirates’ pitcher Ivan Nova deftly handled a comebacker to the mound off the bat of the Padres’ Freddy Galvis. Only one problem, when he went to make the throw to first, the ball was stuck in his glove. As the video shows – no problem.

Choo-sing the Right Time to Go Deep

On May 26, Rangers’ DH Shin-Soo Choo hit a walk-off home run in the bottom of the tenth inning to give the Rangers a 4-3 win over Kansas City. Not only was it a game winner, it was Choo’s 176^th MLB round tripper – the most ever for an Asian-born player. (Choo had been tied with Hideki Matsui at 175.)

Taking One (or more positions) For the Team

Who says you can’t teach an old dog new tricks? Blue Jays 35-year-old catch Russell Martin is in his 15^th major league season. Going into this year, he had started 1,384 games at catcher, 23 at designated hitter, 19 at 3B and one in right field. This May, Martin started 13 games at catcher; three games at 3B (May 9, 12 and 18); and notched his first-ever game starts at shortstop (May 26) and left field (May 28).

In another “old dogs and new tricks” move, on May 27, the San Francisco Giants gave 3B Pablo Sandoval his first-ever start at second base. – where he recorded one putout and two assists, with no miscues. Over 11 seasons, Panda has made 947 starts at 3B, 67 at 1B, 14 at DH, 12 at catcher and, now, one at the keystone sack. This follows his first-ever appearance on the mound (April 28), when he threw a 1-2-3 ninth in a Giants 15-9 loss to the Dodgers. By the way, Sandoval currently has an earned run average of 0.00 and a fielding average at second base of 1.000.

SERIOUS IN SEATTLE

The Seattle Mariners, off to one of the strongest starts in franchise history, let the competition know they are serious about contending in 2018. On May 25, the Mariners made the first major 2018 in-season plunge into the trade market – acquiring veteran outfielder Denard Span and relief Alex Colome from the Rays for pitchers Tommy Romero (3-3., 2.45 at Class A Clinton) and Andrew Moore (1-5, 5.34 for Seattle).

BBB – Brantley Be Back

Indians’ LF Michael Brantley put together an 18-game hitting streak (May 9-May 30) – going 30-for-82 (.366), with three doubles, six home runs, 19 RBI and 21 runs scored. Coming off a pair of shoulder surgeries that limited him to 101 games in 2016-17, it’s good to see Brantley back in top form.

Cycling Your Way to the Top

Ronny Rodriguez was tearing it up for the Toledo Mudhen (Detroit system) at Triple A this season. The 26-year-old Toledo third baseman was hitting .318-8-35 in 48 games. And, on May 30 – as Toledo downed Syracuse 12-7 – Rodriguez hit for the cycle: double in the first, homer in the third, single in the sixth and the sundae-topping triple in the ninth. How did he celebrate? A major league call up, his first MLB start and two hits for the Tigers the very next day.

Going to the Matt for your Pitcher

On May 30, as Oakland downed Tampa Bay 7-3, three A’s homered in support of starter Daniel Mengden – 1B MATT Olson; 3B MATT Chapman; LF MATT Joyce.

______________________________________________________________

—INDIVIDUAL LEADERS FOR MAY—

BATTING AVERAGE (75 or more plate appearances)

AL: Jean Segura, Mariners (.382); Francisco Lindor, Indians (.373); Mookie Betts, Red Sox (.372)

NL: Brandon Crawford, Giants (412); Scooter Gennett, Reds (.398); Nick Markakis, Braves (.362)

The lowest May average among players with at least 75 plate appearances in the month belonged to the Angels’ Kole Calhoun at .108 (8-for-74). Miami’s Lewis Brinson had the lowest NL May average (same qualifiers) at .137 (13-for-95). Twenty-six players who notched 75 or more May plate appearances hit under .200 for the month – the list included such unexpected names as Paul Goldschmidt (.144); Didi Gregorius (.151); Rhy Hoskins (.161); Cody Bellinger (.180); and Carlos Correa (.192).

HOME RUNS

AL: J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (13); Jose Ramirez, Indians (11); two with ten

NL: Bryce Harper, Nationals (10); Matt Adams, Nationals (9); four with 8.

RUNS BATTED IN

AL: Michael Brantley, Indians (26); Salvador Perez, Royals, J.D. Martinez, Red Sox & Jose Ramirez, Indians (25)

NL: Eugenio Suarez, Reds (29); Anthony Rizzo, Cubs (28); Scooter Gennett Reds (24)

The Royals’ Salvador Perez drove in 25 runs in May, despite a .232 batting average – the second lowest May average among the 28 players who drove in 20 or more runs. The lowest? The Nationals’ Bryce Harper at .223.

RUNS SCORED

AL: Francisco Lindor, Indians (27); Mike Trout, Angels, Michael Brantley, Indians & Jose Ramirez, Indians (26)

NL: Charlie Blackmon, Rockies & Christian Yelich, Brewers (22); Nolan Arenado, Rockies (21)

HITS

AL: Francisco Lindor, Indians (44); Jon Jay, Royals & Eddie Rosario, Twins (43)

NL: Brandon Crawford, Giants & Nick Markakis, Braves (42); Freddie Freeman, Braves (39)

Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez of the Indians tied for the MLB extra-base hit lead in May (23) – with Lindor having the edge in total bases 87 to 81.

STOLEN BASES

AL: Mookie Betts, Red Sox (10); Whit Merrifield, Royals (8); three with seven

NL: Travis Jankowski, Padres (7); Jose Peraza, Reds (6); three with five

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

AL: Joey Gallo, Rangers (46); Chris Davis, Orioles & Mike Zunino, Mariners (39)

NL: Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs (35); Michael Taylor, Nationals (34); Ronald Acuna, Braves (33)

WALKS DRAWN

AL: Mike Trout, Angels (30); Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers (21); Justin Smoak, Blue Jays (20)

NL: Justin Bour, Marlins (23); Johan Carmargo, Braves (19); Anthony Rizzo, Cubs (18)

Among players with at least 75 May plate appearance, the Angels’ Andrelton Simmons had – far and away – the best walks-to-strikeouts ratio at six-to-one. In 121 plate appearances, he drew 12 walks and only fanned twice. Anthony Rizzo was second at 1.80 – 18 walks versus ten whiffs.

PITCHING VICTORIES

AL: Luis Severino, Yankees (4-0); Corey Kluber, Indians, Alex Claudio, Rangers & Daniel Mengden, A’s (4-1)

NL: Sean Newcomb, Braves (5-0); Max Scherzer, Nationals (4-0); five at 4-1

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 25 May innings)

AL: Justin Verlander, Astros (0.86); Daniel Mengden, A’s (1.51); James Paxton, Mariners (1.67)

NL: Jacob deGrom, Mets (0.69); Jake Arrieta, Phillies (0.90); Ross Stripling, Dodgers (1.20)

The highest ERA among pitchers with at least 25 May innings or four May starts belongs to the Reds’ Homer Bailey – six May starts and a 9.76 ERA in 27 2/3 innings.

STRIKEOUTS

AL: Chris Sale, Red Sox (59 – 40 innings pitched); James Paxton, Mariners (51 – 43 IP); Justin Verlander, Astros (50 – 41 2/3 IP) & Luis Severino (50 – 40 IP)

NL: Max Scherzer, Nationals (63 – 40 2/3 IP); Aaron Nola, Phillies (46 – 40 IP); Patrick Corbin, D-backs (43 – 35 1/3 IP)

Among pitchers with at least 20 inning pitched in May, the Nationals’ Max Scherzer had the highest rate of strikeouts per nine innings at 13.94, followed by the Red Sox’ Chris Sale at 13.28 and Astros’ Gerrit Cole at 13.09.

SAVES

AL: Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox (11); Blake Treinen, A’s (10); Shane Greene, Tigers (9)

NL: Brad Hand, Padres (11); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (9); two with eight

GAMES PITCHED

AL: Ryan Pressley, Twins & Joe Jimenez, Tigers (16); four with 15

NL: Andrew Chafin, D-backs & Wandy Peralta, Reds (15); four with 14

Joe Kelly of the Red Sox topped MLB in “holds” in May, with nine. Kelly tossed 14 1/3 innings (14) games, gave up just five hits (also five walks) and one run, while fanning 17. He notched three wins (no losses), one save and nine holds. A pretty busy month.

_____________________________________________________________________

—–LEAGUE LEADERS – TEAMS – YEAR-TO-DATE (through May 31)—–

RUNS SCORED … MLB Team Average – 245

AL: Red Sox (303); Yankees (299); Astros (287)

NL: Braves (282); Cubs (277); Pirates (265)

The Marlins scored an MLB-low 192 runs through May – the only team under 200 tallies.

BATTING AVERAGE … MLB Team Average – .246

AL: Red Sox (.267); Rays (.261); Mariners (.259)

NL: Braves (.264); Cubs (.263); Giants (.260)

The Diamondbacks had the lowest team batting average through May (.202); while the Blue Jays held the AL’s bottom spot at .228.

HOME RUNS … MLB Team Average – 62

AL: Yankees (87); Indians (84); Red Sox (82)

NL: Nationals (72); Brewers (69); Rockies (68)

The Marlins and Tigers were the most power-starved clubs through May, with 42 and 48 homers, respectively. No other teams were under 50.

STOLEN BASES … MLB Team Average – 28

AL: White Sox (47); Mariners & Red Sox (39)

NL: Nationals (43); Brewers (40); Braves (37)

The A’s not only stole the fewest bases through May (11), they also had the worst success rate at 47.8 percent (tossed out twelve times in 23 attempts.) Compare that to the Angels – caught just five times in 37 attempts for an MLB-best 86.6 percent success rate.

BATTERS’ STRIKEOUTS … MLB Team Average – 477

AL: Rangers (573); A’s (512); Orioles (511)

NL: Padres (558); Giants (528); Phillies (523)

The best teams, through May, with runners in scoring position? The Red Sox (.289 average) and, in the NL, the Braves (.281). The other side of that coin? The D-backs (.211) and Rangers (.212).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE … MLB Average – 4.08

AL: Astros (2.67); Red Sox (3.58); Angels (3.80)

NL: Nationals (3,23); Cubs (3.29); Phillies (3.40)

Two teams carried ERA’s over 5.00 through May: the Royals (5.26) and White Sox (5.13). Those two squads are a combined 37 games under.500.

PITCHERS’ STRIKEOUTS … MLB Average – 477

AL: Astros (598); Red Sox (563); Yankees (531)

NL: Dodgers (558); Nationals (544); ; Mets (503)

Through May, the Astros were averaging an MLB-tops 10.31 strikeouts per nine innings. Overall, eight teams averaged at least one whiff per nine frames through May 31.

SAVES … MLB Average – 14

AL: Red Sox (21); Mariners (20); Rays (15)

NL: Rockies (19); Nationals (18); Brewers, Mets & Padres (17)

The Red Sox and the Padres topped MLB in successful save opportunity conversion percentage through May at 80.8 and 80.0 percent, respectively. The Tigers were at the bottom at 53.9 percent (14 saves, 12 blown saves).

The best bullpen earned run average went to the Brewers at 2.45; while the Indians’ pen had an MLB-high 6.13 ERA through May.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED … MLB Average – 185

AL: Indians (139); Astros (143); Mariners (157)

NL: Nationals (159); Dodgers (165): Pirates (166)

No team hit more batter than the Rangers through May – 42 – followed by the White Sox and Mariners (30). The A’s led MLB in wild pitches through May (39), while the Pirates sat atop the NL (33). The Mets staff has launched an MLB-low nine wild pitches.

FEWEST ERRORS IN THE FIELD … MLB average – 31

AL: Astros (16); Royals (21); Angels (24)

NL: Rockies & D-backs (18); Nationals (27)

The Rangers (50) and Giants (45) made the most errors through May.

__________________________________________

—INDIVIDUAL LEADERS FOR YEAR TO DATE (throggh May 31)—

BATTING AVERAGE (qualifiers)

AL: Mookie Betts, Red Sox (.359); Jean Segura, Mariners (.339); Jose Altuve, Astros (.338)

NL: Matt Kemp, Dodgers (.343); Scooter Gennett, Reds (.343); Nick Freddie Freeman, Braves (.335);

The lowest average (through May) among qualifying players belonged to the Angels’ Kole Calhoun at .145 (25-for-173). The Marlins’ Lewis Brinson had the lowest average in the NL at .152 (29-for-19). Eleven qualifying players had averages below “The Mendoza Line” (under .200).

HOME RUNS

AL: Mike Trout, Angels, J.D. Martinez, Red Sox & Jose Ramirez, Indians (18)

NL: Bryce Harper, Nationals (18); Chris Villanueva, Padres (15); Ozzie Albies, Braves (14).

Among players with at least 100 plate appearances through May, Bryce Harper of the Nationals had the best at bat/home run ratio at 10.7; while the Red Sox’ Mookie Betts was the best in the AL at 10.8.

RUNS BATTED IN

AL: J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (47); Manny Machado, Orioles (45); two with 41

NL: Javier Baez & Eugenio Suarez, Reds (43); two with 40

Among players with at least 25 plate appearances with runners in scoring position, the Braves’ Freddie Freeman had the best average through May at .447 (21-for-47). The Orioles’ Manny Machado topped the AL in this category at .417.

RUNS SCORED

AL: Mookie Betts, Red Sox (52); Mike Trout, Angels (47); Francisco Lindor, Indians (44)

NL: Ozzie Albies, Braves (49); Charlie Blackmon, Rockies (44); Tommy Pham, Cardinals (39)

HITS

AL: Jose Altuve, Astros (80); Jean Segura, Mariners (76); three with 71

NL: Nick Markakis, Braves (74); Freddie Freeman, Braves & Scooter Gennett, Reds (71)

The Angels’ Mike Trout had an MLB-best .444 on base percentage through May (among qualifiers); while the Braves’ Freddie Freeman topped the NL at .435.

STOLEN BASES

AL: Dee Gordon, Mariners (16); Mookie Betts, Red Sox (13); four with 12

NL: Ender Inciarte, Braves (18); Trea Turner, Nationals (16); Michael Taylor, Nationals (13)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

AL: Joey Gallo, Rangers (82); Chris Davis, Orioles (72); Yoan Moncada, White Sox (71)

NL: Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs (71); Lewis Brinson, Marlins (66); two with 65

WALKS DRAWN

AL: Mike Trout, Angels (50); Aaron Judge, Yankees (43); Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers (33)

NL: Bryce Harper, Nationals (47); Freddie Freeman, Braves, Cesar Hernandez, Phillies & Justin Bour, Marlins (37)

You want a piece of me? Apparently not. Freddie Freeman (Braves); Bryce Harper (Nationals); and Manny Machado (Orioles) shared the MLB lead in intentional walks through May at eight each.

PITCHING VICTORIES

AL: Luis Severino, Yankees (8-1); Corey Kluber, Cleveland (8-2); six with seven

NL: Max Scherzer, Nationals (9-1); Aaron Nola, Phillies (7-2); seven with six

What ever happened to finsihing the job? There have been only 19 complete games thrown through May – with the Indians’ Carlos Carrasco and Mariners’ James Paxton leading the way with two each. What do you have to do to avoid the manager’s hook? Twelve of the 19 complete games were shutouts.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (qualifiers)

AL: Justin Verlander, Astros (1.11); Corey Kluber, Indians (2.02); Gerrit Cole, Astros (2.05)

NL: Jacob deGrom, Mets (1.52); Max Scherzer, Nationals (1.92); Gio Gonzalez, Nationals (2.10)

STRIKEOUTS

AL: Gerrit Cole, Astros (109 – 74 2/3 IP); Chris Sale, Red Sox (104 – 75 IP); Justin Verlander, Astros (98 – 81 1/3 IP)

NL: Max Scherzer, Nationals (120– 79 2/3 IP); Patrick Corbin, D-backs (98 – 75 1/3 IP); Jacob deGrom, Mets (85 – 65 1/3 IP)

Among pitchers with at least 40 inning pitched through May, the Nationals’ Max Scherzer had the highest rate of strikeouts per nine innings at 13.46 (120 strikeouts in 79 2/3 innnings). Using the 40-inning qualifier, the Indians’ Corey Kluber had the best strikeouts per walk ratio at 9.35 (88 strikeouts versus 10 walks).

SAVES

AL: Edwin Diaz, Mariners (19); Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox (18); two with 13

NL: Wade Davis, Rockies (18); Brad Hand, Padres (17); Jeurys Familia, Mets (14)

GAMES PITCHED

AL: Joe Jimenez, Tigers (30); Ryan Pressley, Twins (29); Edwin Diaz, Mariners (29)

NL: Bryan Shaw, Rockies & Wandy Peralta, Reds (30); Sammy Solis (Nationals (29)

—-AND THAT’S THE MAY WRAP UP – HOPE YOU MADE IT THIS FAR!—-

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBRT

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

Filed Under: News

Archives for June 2018

Moonlight Graham’s MLB Debut

Edwin Jackson’s Well-Traveled Career – and (somewhat) Unexpected No-Hitter

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Two Pudges – both headed for the Hall of Fame – Cross Paths, while Going in Different Directions

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Mike Lansing – Celebrating MLB’s Fastest-Ever Cycle

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Four Consecutive Long Balls in an Inning … and Eddie Started It All

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A True Doubleheader … Gotta Love It!

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The Wizards of Whiff … All about pitchers fanning 9+ batters per nine innings.

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BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE MAY UPDATE – A DAY LATE, BUT NOT A DOLLAR SHORT

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