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

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

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

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

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

So, let’s get started.

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

National League

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

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

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

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

Pitcher of the Month … Jacob deGrom, RHP, Mets

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

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

 

 

 

_____________________________________________________________

American League

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

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

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

_________________________________________________________

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

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

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

_________________________________________________

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

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

 

 

____________________________________

TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BBRT FEATURE

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

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

__________________________________

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

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

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

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

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

RUNS SCORED

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

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

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

AVERAGE

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

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

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

HOME RUNS

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

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

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

STOLEN BASES

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

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

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

WALKS DRAWN

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

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

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

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

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

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

EARNED RUN AVERAGE

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

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

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

STRIKEOUTS

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

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

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

SAVES

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

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

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

–——————————June Highlights—————————-

A Complete Game for the Rays? No Way!

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

Immaculate As Can Be

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

Going Four-for-Three … Not that Easy

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

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

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

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

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

Three-for-Three – Triple Plays that Is

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

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

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

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

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

Collecting Number 1,000

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

Astros Flying High – and So Is The Baseball

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

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

History in the Making

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

Let’s Get This Party Started

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

Hold the Fireworks

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

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

Redemption

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

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

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

No, No! Not Another N0-NO

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

Whiff N’Poof

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

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

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

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

What Took You So Long?

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

A Sticky Situation

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

Baseball Roundtable Extra – Happy Birthday to Me

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

I get By with a Little Help from My Friends

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

Sixteen Pitchers … That’s Nothing!

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

A Good Way to End the Month

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

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

AVERAGE (75 June  at bats minimum)

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

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

HOME RUNS

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

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

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

RUNS BATTED IN

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

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

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

HITS

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

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

DOUBLES

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

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

TRIPLES

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

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

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

STOLEN BASES

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

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

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

WALKS

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

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

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

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

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

PITCHING VICTORIES

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

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

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

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (at least 25 innings pitched)

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

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

STRIKEOUTS

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

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

SAVES

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

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

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

 

____________________________________

 

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

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

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

——Team  Statistical Leaders through  June ——-—

RUNS SCORED (average 355)

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

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

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

AVERAGE (average .239)

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

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

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

HOME RUNS (average 94)

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

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

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

STOLEN BASES (average 36)

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

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

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

WALKS DRAWN (average 265)

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

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

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

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS (average 702)

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

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

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

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (average 4.16)

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

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

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

STRIKEOUTS (average 690)

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

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

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

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED (average 265)

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

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

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

SAVES (average 19)

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

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

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

HOME RUNS

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

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

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

RUNS BATTED IN

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

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

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

HITS

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

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

DOUBLES

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

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

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

TRIPLES

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

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

STOLEN BASES

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

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

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

WALKS

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

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

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

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

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

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

PITCHING VICTORIES

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

STRIKEOUTS

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

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

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

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

SAVES

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

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

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

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

 

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

_____________________________________________

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

I tweet baseball @DavidBaseballRT

Follow/Like Baseball Roundtable’s Facebook Page here.  More baseball commentary; blog post notifications; PRIZES.

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