Archives for June 2021

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.

_____________________________________________

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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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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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.”

______________________________________________________

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.  

_________________________________________________

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.

_________________________________________________

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.

________________________________________________

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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