Baseball May 2022 Wrap – No-hitters, .400 hitters, Hitting Streaks and More

It’s June 1, and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s monthly Wrap Up – outlining the stats and stories that caught Baseball Roundtable’s attention in May, plus the standings, Players and Pitchers of the Month and the year-to-date Trot Index.   This month is a little more challenging, as I am putting this post together while on Ballpark Tours’ 40th Anniversary baseball journey. So, I’m writing from the Intercontinental Hotel in Chicago, while waiting to head out to the Brewers-Cubs game at Wrigley Field. Given that, there may a typo to be discovered here and there.  Those on the tour bus will know who I’m talking about.

There was, as always, plenty to take note of over the past month:

• Miguel Cabrera’s ever-growing Hall of Fame resume;
• Angels’ rookie Reid Detmers’ no-hitter;
• A record-tying five-homer inning by the Astros;
• Two  qualifying players who hit .400+ for the month and three who hit at least 10 home run;
• Max Scherzer’s first loss in nearly a year;
• Two players who ended the month with active 20+ game hitting streaks;
• The season’s first triple play;
• Christian Yelich’s record-tying (and, in some ways, record-setting) third cycle;
• And more.

History Repeats Itself – Kind Of

In the April Wrap Up, Baseball Roundtable noted that on April 7 – National Beer Day – the Diamondbacks’ DH Seth Beer hit a walk-off home run to put the Diamondbacks past the Padres 4-1.  It was his second career homer and first career walk-off long ball.  I also voiced my wish that Beer be traded to the White Sox, who have 3B Jake Burger on the roster, so we could have a Beer and a Burger in the lineup together. (A trade taking Burger to the Diamondbacks would, of  course, achieve the same end. ) Well, I didn’t get that, but on May 28 – National Hamburger Day –  Burger homered in the White Sox 5-1 win over the Cubs. 

—–Baseball Roundtable Players/Pitchers  of the Month—–

National League Player of the Month – Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Cardinals

Goldschmidt lit it up in May – to the tune of 42 hits (most in the NL) and a .404 average – both tops in the National League.  His 33 RBI led MLB and his ten homers were second in the NL to the Dodgers’ Mookie Betts (12)   Goldschmidt ended the month with an  active  22-game hitting streak, during which he hit a robust .438. During the month, he had 12 multi-hit games and ten multi–RBI contests.  There were some other solid performances, but that .40o  average gave Goldschmidt the edge.

Honorable Mentions: Mookie Betts, RF, Dodgers, put up a .342 May average, led the NL with 12 May homers and was fourth in the NL with 26 RBI for the month, while leading  MLB with 31 May runs scored. It was a close call.   Philllies’ RF Bryce Harper went .47-7-18 and Mets’ 1B Pete Alonso went .315-9-30. A shout out also goes to Dodgers’ SS  Trea Turner, who hit  .314-4-24 month and ended with his 23-game hitting streak still active. He also swiped six bases.

American League  Player of the Month– Tie: Aaron Judge, RF, Yankees and J.D Martinez, LF Red Sox.

Hard to pick between MLB’s top hitters in May average (Martinez, among qualifiers) and home runs (Judge – tied).

A .400 average is a bright and shiny thing that attracts Baseball Roundtable’s attention – and Martinez hit .406 for the Month of May. His 43 hits were second in MLB  (to teammate 3B Rafael Devers). He also also scored 23 runs,  delivered four home runs and 15 RBI. Martinez collected a safety in all but one of his 26 May games – and he had 13 multi-hit performances.

So why the tie?  Well, Judge didn’t hit.400.  But he did drive in and score  more runs than Martinez.   Judge led the AL and tied for the MLB lead  in May home runs with 12 was second  in the AL in RBI (25), while hitting  a healthy .311  He had three multi-homer games and six games with three or more RBI.

Some may ask why Red Sox’ SS Trevor Story and his AL-topping 32 May RBI did not figure into this ranking.  For me it’s that .218 average for the month.  It is Player of the “Month” and from May 1 through May 15, Story was .156-1-10.

Honorable Mentions: More Red Sox and Yankees here.  Red Sox’ 3B Rafael Devers was a mirror-image of  teammate J.D. Martinez for the month – .381-8-17, with 23 runs scored and an MLB-leading 45 May safeties.  The Yankees’ DH Giancarlo Stanton put up a solid .301-7-21 line  (fourth in AL in RBI).  Also have to give  nod to the Twins’ versatile Luis Arraez, who got in only 23 games, but hit .376 with an MLB topping (among qualifiers) .480 on-base percentage.

National League Pitcher of the Month- Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Marlins

It was a tough call here. No one really jumped out at me. There were Pirates’ Jose Quintana, Padres’ Joe Musgrove and Phillies’ Zack Wheeler who all pitched at least 25 innings with ERAs under 1.50;  the Phillies’ Aaron Nola with 40 strikeouts and just five walks in 33 innings; and the Mets’ Carlos Carrasco. Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen and  and Dodgers’ Tony Gonsolin,  Tyler Anderson and Walker Buehler,  who each went 4-0 for the month.,

I decided to go with the Marlins’ Sandy Alcantara, who may have only gone 3-2 in May (keep in mind, he was pitching for the Marlins, who went 7-19 for the month), but put  up a 2.13 ERA, a league-topping 42 1/3 innings pitched (six starts) and 43 strikeouts (second in the NL). In his last four May starts, Alcantara pitched 32 innings (I’ll do the math, that’s eight frames per start) and gave up just three earned runs.

Honorable Mentions; The Padres’ Joe Musgrove went 2-0, 1.64 in five May starts, fanning 33 batters in 33 innings. In his five starts, Musgrove never went less than six full innings and never gave up more than two earned runs. In his three May no-decisions, the Padres scored a total of two runs while Musgrove was in the game.  The Dodgers’ Tony Gonsolin went 4-0, with a tidy 1.93 ERA in five starts and whiffed 31 batters in 28 innings

American League Pitcher of the Month – Martin Perez, LHP, Rangers

Another tough decision. with Jameson Taillon, who went 4-0 for the Yankees; Rays Shane McClanahan, who went 4-0, 1.15; New York’s Gerrit Cole who fanned 45 batters (just five walks) in five starts (33 2/3 innings); and Tigers’ Tarik Skubal, Twins’ Sony Gray, Yankees’ Nestor Cortes, who joined McClanahan with at least 25 innings pitched and ERAs under 2.00.

I went with the only pitcher to put up an ERA not just under 2.00, but under 1.00 in six May starts – and also threw one of just two complete-game shutouts in May.  That would be the Rangers’ Martin Perez, who – on May 20, shutout the vaunted Houston Astros’ offense in a nine-inning, eight-hit, 3-0 win.  In five May starts, Perez went 4-0 and allowed only three earned runs in 42 1/3 innings – a stingy 0.64 ERA  (yes, his ERA started with a zero).

Honorable Mentions: The Rays’ Shane McClanahan could easily have this spot – going 4-0, 1.14 in five starts and fanning 39 in 31 1/3 innings. (I just could not resist Perez’ sub-1.00 ERA.)  White Sox’ closer Liam Hendricks also had a solid month, with an MLB-high ten saves (in 12 opportunities), a 2.03 ERA and 21 whiffs in 13 1/3 innings.  I also looked at the Tigers’ Tarik Skubal (2-0, 1.15 in five starts, with 35 strikeouts in 31 1/3 innings) and the Yankees’ Nestor Cortes (3-1, 1.95 with 33 strikeouts in 32 1/3 innings).

Surprise Player of the Month – Tyler Anderson, LHP. Dodgers

The 32-year-old Anderson came into the 2022 season with a 29-68, 4.66 record over six MLB seasons (2016-21 … Rockies, Giants, Pirates, Mariners). Anderson had never won more than seven games in a season and had finished above .500 just once – 4-3, 4.37 in 2020. He had, in fact, been granted free agency by the Mariners before the Dodgers signed him in March. This May, Anderson went 4-0, 3.09 in five starts, fanning 33 batters in 32 innings – bringing his record on the year to 6-0, 2.90 in nine appearances, seven starts. In his final three starts of the month, he went 3-0 and gave up just two earned runs in 21 innings – fanning 21 and walking just one.

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TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BBRT FEATURE

Through May, 34.5 percent of the MLB season’s 55,041 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 (22.3%); walks (8.5%); home runs (2.7%); HBP (1.0%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). 

Now, to provide a little context (a more detailed post on this topic coming soon). Here are a few selected annual Trot Index scores since I began watching baseball in earnest:  1950  – 22.8 %; 1960 – 25.1%; 1970 – 27.0%; 1980 – 23.1%; 1990 – 26.1%; 2000 – 29.9%; 2010 – 30.3%; 2021 – 36.3%.

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Only two teams won 20 or more games in May – the Astros and Dodgers and, no surprise, they each logged their leagues lowest earned run average.

The Astros 21-8 month was fueled included an 11-game wining streak (May 2-13, during which the Houston staff fashioned five shutouts and  put up a 0.91 earned run average.  During that stretch, they gave up three runs in just one contest.  They outscored their opponents 56-12 over the 11 games, outhit them .237-187 and out homered them 18-2.  They were the only team with a May ERA of under 3.00 – at 2.26.

Only six NL starters picked up four wins in May, and three of those pitchers wore Dodger Blue: Tony Gonsolin (4-0, 1.93); Tyler Anderson (4-0, 3.09) and Walker Buehler 4-0, 3.71).

——Team  Statistical Leaders for May 2022 ———-

RUNS SCORED

National League – Dodgers (174); Mets (168); Cardinals (150)

American League – Red Sox (159); Angels (131); Twins (137)

The fewest May runs were scored by the Tigers (74). The Pirates were last in NL scoring (88). The only other team to score less than 100 May runs was the A’s (93), 

AVERAGE

National League – Mets (.278); Nationals (.268);Rockies (.267)

American League – Red Sox (.282); Twins (.262); Royals (.255)

The lowest team average for May belonged to the As at .214.  The lowest in the NL was the Pirates at .218.

HOME RUNS

National League – Brewers (46); Diamondbacks (39); Dodgers (38)

American League –  Angels (41); Yankees (40); Astros (39)

The Padres and Athletics  had the fewest home runs for  May  at 15. 

Boston led MLB in May slugging percentage at .476.  The Dodgers led the NL at .457.

STOLEN BASES

National League – Cubs (30); Braves (18); Brewers (18); Phillies (18); Cardinals (18)

American League – Rangers (28); Athletics (22); Guardians (21)

The Blue Jays stole the fewest sacks in May  – just five.  

WALKS DRAWN

National League –   Dodgers (126); Giants (115); Brewers (104)

American League – Twins (105); Yankees (97); Astros (96)

The Red Sox  led MLB  in on-base percentage for April at .346. The Dodgers led the NL  at .344.

BATTERS’ STRIKEOUTS

National League – Braves (289); Diamondbacks (273); Cubs (267)

American League – Angels (263); Orioles (250);’ A’s (249)

Guardians’ batters fanned the fewest times in May (148).

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Bonus Stat:

The Mets led all of MLB in May triples (10), while the Red Sox led in doubles (73).

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Earned Run Average

National League – Dodgers (3.08); Padres (3.26); Brewers (3.59)

American League – Astros (2.26); Yankees (3.06); Rangers (3.32)

Five teams had May ERAs of 5.00 or higher: Royals (5.62); Giants (5.44); Nationals (5.36); Rockies (5.35); Reds (5.00). 

STRIKEOUTS

National League –  Brewers (278); Phillies (276); Dodgers (251)

American League – Twins (256); White Sox (250); Yankees (250)

The Phillies averaged an MLB-best 9.86 strikeouts per nine innings in May. The White Sox  averaged an AL-best 9.15.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED

National League Dodgers (79); Brewers (80); Mets (81)

American League –  Yankees (53); Blue Jays (64); Rays (66)

The Yankees walked a stringiest 1.91  batters per nine frames (the only team under 2.00) The Royals  walked an MLB’s highest 4.32 per nine innings for the month.

SAVES

National League – Brewers (12); Padres (11): Brewers (10); Diamondbacks (9); Dodgers (9)

American League – White Sox (12); Twins (10); Blue Jays (10)

The Marlins recorded just one save in May (just six opportunities). They did win only seven of 25 games.

WALKS AND HITS PER INNING PITCHED (WHIP)

National League – Padres (1.14); Dodgers (1.21); ; Brewers (1.21)

American League – Yankees (1.03); Astros (1.07); Rays (1.11)

–——Individual Statistical Leaders for May 2022———

AVERAGE (75  April  at bats minimum)

National League – Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (.404); Luis Gonzalez, Giants (.368) Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks  (.363)

American League –  J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (.406); Tim Anderson, White Sox (.385); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (.381)

The lowest April  average (among players with at least 75 at bats in the month)  belonged to the Rays’ Taylor Walls at .103 (8-for-78).

HOME RUNS

National League – Mookie Betts, Dodgers (12); Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (10); Jorge Soler, Marlins (9); Pete Alonso, Mets (9); Christian Walker, Diamondbacks (9)

American League –  Aaron Judge, Yankees  (12);  Trevor Story, Red Sox (9);  Jose Altuve, Astros (9)

The Cardinals’ Paul Goldschmidt had the highest May slugging percentage (among players with at least 75 at bats) at .817.  The AL  leader was the Red Sox’ Rafael Devers at .712.

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (33); Pete Alonso, Mets (30);  Francisco Lindor, Mets (28)

American League – Trevor Story, Red Sox (32); Aaron Judge, Yankees (25); Jose Ramirez, Guardians (23)

HITS

National League – Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (42); Mookie Betts, Dodgers (39); Trea Turner, Dodgers (36)

American League –  Rafael Devers, Red Sox (435); J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (43); Ty France (39)

The Twins Luis Arraez led MLB (players (with at least 75 May at bats) in on-base percentage at .480. The NL leader was the Cardinals’ Paul Goldschmidt at .471.

DOUBLES

National League –  Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (15); Matt Olson, Braves (14); Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (13)

American League –  Rafael Devers, Red Sox (13); Bo Bichette, Blue Jays (11); Jackie Bradley, Red Sox (10)

TRIPLES

National League – Brandon Nimmo, Mets (3); ten  with two

American League – Jose Ramirez, Red Sox (3); ten with two

The Cardinals’ Paul Goldschmidt led MLB in extra-base hits in May with 23.

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Ronald Acuna, Braves (7); Harrison Bader, Cardinals (7); Jean Segura, Phillies (7); Tommy Edman, Cardinals (7)

American League – Cedric Mullins, Orioles (8); Kyle Tucker, Astros (7); Eli White Rangers (6); Jose Ramirez, Guardians (6)

WALKS

National League – Juan Soto, Nationals (21); Mike Yastrzemski, Giants (19); three with 18

American League – Jose Ramirez, Guardians (19); Kyle Tucker, Astros (17); three with 16

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Patrick Wisdom, Cubs (40); Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (39); Austin Riley, Braves (38)

American League – Eugenio Suarez, Mariners (40); Trevor Story, Red Sox (39); Mike Trout Angels (36)

No player grounded into more double plays in May than the Nationals Maikel Franc0 (9)

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League – Walker Buehler, Dodgers (4-0); Tyler Anderson, Dodgers (4-0); Carlos Carrasco, Mets (4-0); Tony Gonsolin, Dodgers (4-0); Zac Gallen, Phillies (4-0)Luis Garcia, Padres (4-1)

American League – Martin Perez, Rangers (4-0); Shane McClanahan, Rays (4-0); Jameson Taillon, Yankees (4-0); Justin Verlander, Astros (4-1); Nick Pivetta, Red Sox (4-1); Framber Valdez, Astros (4-1); Drew Rasmussen, Rays  (4-1 ); Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays (4-2)

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (at least 25  May innings pitched)

National League – Jose Quintana, Pirates (1.33); Joe Musgrove, Padres (1.64); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (1.65)

American League – Martin Perez, Rangers (0.64); Shane McClanahan, Rays (1.15); Tarik Skubal, Tigers (1.45)

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Corbin Burnes, Brewers (45); Sandy Alcantara, Marlins (43); Aaron Nola, Phillies (40); Zach Wheeler, Phillies (40).

American League – Dylan Cease, White Sox (48); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (45); Robbie Ray, Mariners (42)

SAVES

National League – Taylor Rogers, Padres (10); Josh Hader Brewers (8); David Bednar, Pirates (7); Edwin Diaz, Mets (7); Craig Kimbrel, Dodgers (7)

American League – Liam Hendricks, White Sox (10); Jeff Barlow, Ranges (8); four with six

WHIP (Walks +  Hits per Inning Pitched) – 25 May innings minimum)

National League – Tony Gonsolin, Dodgers (0.79); Corbin Burnes, Brewers (0.87); Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (1.69)

American League – Triston McKenzie, Guardians (0.74); Shane McClanahan, Rays (0.83); Nick Pivetta, Red Sox (0.83)

BONUS STAT

Among pitchers with 25 May innings, the Dodgers Tony Gonsolin held opponents to the lowest May batting average (.149 )

—–May 2022 Highlights —–

A Veteran Rookie

On May 1, after 11 years and more than 1,000 games in the minor leagues, Giants’ LF Jason Krizan notched his first MLB base hit. The 32-year-old rookie’s wife and two-year-old son were in the stands to share the landmark safety.  Krizan’s April 29 MLB debut came in his twelfth professional season, after 1,132 minor-league games.  Krizan was drafted in the eighth round of the 2011 MLB Draft (Tigers) – out of Dallas Baptist University, where, in 2011,  he hit .413-10-81 in 62 games. Over his 1,000+ minor league games, he hit .275-83-541.  On his lengthy journey to the “show,” Krizan had several solid seasons – including  .293-7-56 at Double-A in 2014; .294-10-65 at Double- and Triple-A in 2016; and .316-16-73 at Triple-A in 2021.

Old Guys Rule

On May 4, the Cardinals starting battery was 40-year-old Adam Wainwright on the mound and 39-year-old Yadier Molina behind the plate. Wainwright got the win, to even his 2022 record at 3-3. It was the 202^nd time the Cardinals had won a game with Wainwright and Molina as the starting battery – tying the pair for the MLB record in that category (tied with the Braves’ Warren Spahn and Del Crandall battery.) Molina and Wainwright captured sole position of the record in Wainwright’s very next start – as the Cardinals topped the Giants 15-6 in St. Louis. They continue to add to their own record. On May 20, Wainwright got the win -with Molina catching, as the Cardinals topped the Pirates 5-3. In that one, Wainwright gave up just one run in seven innings and Molina drove in two runs.  More #InBaseballWeCountEverything.

A Giant, Appropriately

On May 6, as the Giants took on the Cardinals in San Francisco, 25-year old rookie right-hander Sean Hjelle made his MLB debut – and tied a major-league record just by taking the mound. At 6’11” tall, Hjelle tied Jon Rauch – another right-handed pitcher – as the tallest major leaguer ever.   Hjelle pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning (two whiffs and one ground out.). Rauch pitched in 11 MLB seasons (2002, 2004-2013 … White Sox, Expos, Nationals, Diamondbacks, Twins, Blue Jays, Nets, Marlins), going 43-40, 3.90 with 62 saves in 556 games (11 starts).

Miggy Watch goes On

On May 7, in a Tigers 3-2 loss to the Astros, Miguel Cabrera added another line to his Hall of Fame resume. Cabrera hit a two-run double in the top of the third inning.  It was his It was his 600^th career double – making him just one of three players (Hank Aaron & Albert Pujols) with 600 doubles, 500 homers and 3,000 hits (he picked up his 3,000^th hit earlier this season – as he joined the 3,000 hit, 500 home run .300+ average club). Only two MLB players have retired with at least 3,000 hits, 500 homers and a .300 or better average (Hank Aaron and Willie Mays).  Cabrera finished May with 3,030 career hits, 505 home runs, 603 doubles and a .310 average.

The One That Got Away

On May 8, the Phillies handed Max Scherzer a loss, topping the Mets 3-2 and roughing up Scherzer for three runs on ten hits in six innings. (Scherzer did fan seven New York batters.) This unremarkable fact only makes it here because it was Scherzer’s first loss in 22 days short of a full year (since May 30, 2021). Over that time, Scherzer started 24 games, and went 15-0, 2.55.  Roger Clemens holds the record for the most starts between losses at 30 (June 3, 1998-June 1, 1999.  During that time , he went 20-0, 2.68. 

King Carl

Carl Hubbell holds the record for the most consecutive pitching victories at 24 (three of those wins came in relief).  From July 17, 1936 to May 27, 1937, he went 24-0 in 27 games (22 starts).

Looking for a Big Finish

On May 9, the Guardians came to bat in the top of the eighth inning trailing the White Sox 5-1. At this point in the game, Guardians’ 1B Josh Naylor had been to the plate three times and was zero-for-two (a walk and two strikeouts). This is how the rest of his game went:

• Batting in the eighth with one on and two out, he delivered an RBI double to  cut the White Sox lead to 5-2.
• Batting in the ninth with the bases loaded, two outs, and the Guardians down 8-4, he launched a Grand Slam home run to tie the contest
• Batting in the eleventh frame, with two on and two out, he hit a three-run home run to provide the final margin in the Guardians’ eventual 12-9, 11-inning win.

The Elias Sports Bureau reported that Naylor was the first  player since 1920 (when RBI became an official statistic) to drive in at least eight runs in the eighth inning and later in a game. The bigger surprise for me is that all eight RBI were two-out RBI.

2022 Second No-Hitter

On  May 10, Angels’ 22-year-old rookie southpaw Reid Detmers tossed the second no-hitter of the 2022 season and the season’s first complete-game no-no. (On April 29, five Mets’ pitchers combined to no-hit the Phillies.) Note: Detmers made five appearances for the Angels in 2021, but his rookie status was still intact. Detmers walked one and fanned two as the Angels topped the Rays 12-0 in Anaheim. He threw 108 pitches (68 strikes). Coming into the game, Detmers was 1-1, 5.32 in five 2022 starts and had not gone more than five innings in any of those appearances. In his first start after the no-hitter, he gave up three runs on three hits and two walks in 3 2/3 innings. Detmers was signed in the first round (tenth overall) of the 2020 MLB draft out of University of Louisville, where he went 20-6, 3.20 in three seasons. In 2021 he went 3-4, 3.19 at Double- and Triple-A and 1-3, 7.40 with the Angels.

A Walk-Walk-Walk-Off

On May 10, the Yankees went into the bottom of the ninth trailing the Blue Jays 5-3 – and facing closer Jordan Romano. Yankees’ SS Isiah Kiner Falefa went down swinging to start the inning, followed by consecutive walks to C Jose Trevino and 3B DJ LeMahieu – setting up CF Aaron Judge for a game-ending, walk-off three-run home run. Which he delivered.  It was the 168^th home run of Judge’s career and his first-ever walk-off game-winning four-bagger (and it took those two walks to put him a position to deliver the 6-5 win).

A Tri-Cycle?

On May 11, Brewers DH Christian Yelich hit for the cycle (single, double, triple and home run in the same game), as Milwaukee topped the Reds 14-11.  In the process, he became just the sixth player to record three cycles in an MLB career and also the first to record three career cycles against the same teams (Reds).  For more on that May 11 game and a host of cycle trivia, click here.

How About a Trophy in the Shape of a Roll of Life Savers?

Brewers’ closer Josh Hader  set a new MLB record on Friday, May 13 – starting the season with saves in 13 straight mound appearances.  He extended that record to 18 straight appearances with a save while saving both games of a May 30 doubleheader versus the Cubs.

The Shohei Sho

On May 14, in a 9-1 Angels’ win over the A’s in Oakland, Angels’ DH Shohei Ohtani popped a two-run homer in the top of the fifth. It was his seventh of the season and 100th of his MLB career – and made him just the  third Japanese player to reach the 100 career mark in MLB (following Hideki Matsui with 175 homers and Ichiro Suzuki with 117).  It also made Ohtani just the second  MLB player with 100 or more home runs as a hitter and 250 or more career strikeouts as a pitch (the other being, of course, Babe Ruth). Just more #InBaseballWeCountEverything.

Alert Pujols Takes the Mound

On May 15, 42-year-old future Hall of Famer Albert Pujols (in his 22nd MLB season) – at the time the owner of 3,312 MLB hits, 681 home runs and 2, 156 RBI – took the mound (for the Cardinals) for the first time in his MLB career. It came in the top of the ninth, with Pujols’ Cardinals leading the Giants 15-2.  Pujols inning of work went:

• LF Darin Ruf, walk.
• CF Austin Slater, line out to center.
• 3B Even Longoria, single.
• SS Thairo Estrada, safe on fielder’s choice (Longoria out at second).
• P Luis Gonzalez, three-run home run. (Note: Gonzalez started in LF, moved to the mound in the bottom of the eighth.)
• C Joey Bart, solo home run.
• RF LaMonte Wade, Jr., ground out third-to-first.

Pujols’ pitches ranged in velocity (if you can use that word) from 46.6 mph-to-66.3 mph. Pujols has now appeared  in the field at the major-league level at every position except catcher and centerfield.

Giving veterans stars a free trip to the mound may be the Cardinals’ theme this year. On May 22nd ten-time All Star C  Yadier Molina – like Pujols in his 22nd MLB season – made his first MLB mound appearance. It came in the  bottom of the ninth inning of a game against the Pirates, with the  Cardinals leading 18-0.  Like Pujols, Molina gave up four earned runs (and two homers) in his inning of work

How about a Nice Walk-(off) in the Park?

Okay, the Orioles aren’t really going anywhere this year.  As of May 22, they were 17-25, in last place in the AL East, 14 ½ game back.  Why did I pick May 22? Because  on that day the O’s picked up their third  Walk-Off win in  four days. They topped the Rays  7-6 in eleven innings, with DH Adley Rutschman (placed on second to start the inning and moved to third on a sacrifice), scoring on a  groundball dribbler (fielder’s choice) by 2B Rougned Odor. On May 20, the O’s walked-off a 13-inning, 8-6 victory against those same Rays.  This time on a two-run home run by Odor. On May 19, they picked up a 9-6  walk-off win against the Yankees (this time in the ninth inning) on a three-run homer by RF Anthony Santander.   Baseball Roundtable note: Five of the Orioles 17 wins through May 22 were walk-offs and they were 4-0 in extra-inning  games .

Two Shots at One Big Shot

In the first inning of the Cubs’ May 16 game against the Pirates (at Wrigley Field) catcher Willson Contreras found himself at DH and in the leadoff spot. He also happened to be sitting on 99 career round trippers.  Contreras  got into one leading off the game, taking the first pitch he saw from Pirates’ starter Dillon Peters to deep right-center for a double. He got another chance later in the same inning, coming to the plate for a second time, this time with the bases loaded, two outs, the Cubs up 4-0 and Bryse Wilson on the mound.   The Willson (Contreras) versus (Bryse) Wilson matchup went in Contreras’ favor, as he smoked the first pitch he saw from Wilson for a Grand Slam home run … and his 100th career regular-season dinger. So, at that point in the game, he had seen two pitchers, had a double and a home run for six total bases, had scored twice and driven in four – and had become just the tenth major-leaguer in the Modern Era to hit a Grand Slam in the first inning while batting leadoff.  Truthfully, I am surprised it’s happened that many times. The Cubs, by the way, scored eight runs in the first inning of that 9-0 win and Contreras had three more at bats (without a hit.)

Morel’s Career Mushrooming

On May 17, Cubs 22-year-old rookie Christopher Morel made  his first MLB appearance, pinch hitting for Patrick Wisdom in the bottom of the eighth with the Cubs up 6-0 on the Pirates.  Morel quickly fell behind the Pirates’ Chase De Jong no balls-two strikes, before working the count full and then hitting a 3-2 pitch to deep left field – to joint the list of major leagues to homering their first-ever MLB plate appearance. Morel had been hitting .306-7-20 at Double-A when e was called up. At the end of May, the rookies’ MLB stat line was .283-2-5 in 11 games.

Brotherly Love

On May 17, brothers Edwin Diaz (Mets) and Alexis Diaz (Reds) both recorded saves.  They were just the third pair of brothers to record major-league saves on the same day. More proof of #InBaseballWeCountEverything. It was the senior (28-year-old) Diaz’ ninth save of the year and 182^nd career save (he led the AL in 2018 with 57 saves for the Mariners).  It was the first MLB save, coming in his 17th MLB appearance, for 25-year-old Reds’ rookie Alexis Diaz.

The other pairs of brothers to ramrod a save on the same day? Todd (Dodgers) and Tim (Padres) Worrell on June 13 , 1997 and Ravelo (Pirates) and Josias Manzanillo (Mets), on June 30^th 1994.  It was Todd Worrell’s  15 save of the season and 236^th career save and Tim Worrell’s first save of the season and second career save.  Todd pitched 11 seasons  and record 256  saves. Tim pitched 14 years and recorded 71 saves. For the Manzanillo brothers, it was Ravelo’s only save (in three MLB seasons, 53 appearances), while  it was Josias’ second save of the 1994 season and his fourth of six career saves (11 MLB seasons, 267 appearances.)

Five Long Balls in One Frame

On May 17, the Red Sox’  Nathan Eovaldi got off to a good start against the Astros in Boston. He got past 2B Jose Altuve, DH Michael Brantley and 3B Alex Bregman on a total of five pitches (all strikes) – a ground out, line out and pop out. The second inning did not go quite as well, as the Astros tied an MLB single-inning record by bashing five home runs (all off Eovaldi). The homers came off the bats of LF Yordan Alvarez, RF Kyle Tucker, SS Jeremy Pena, Brantley and 1B Yuli Gurriel.  For the complete story and a look at the the eight times an MLB team has gone yard five times in an innings, click here.

An Interesting Comeback

Cubs’ 26-year-old rookie Brandon Hughes made quite a comeback – one that brought him all the way to Wrigley field – and the baseball record book.  At the end of Spring Training in 2019, Hughes – drafted out of Michigan State University, as an outfielder, in the 16^th round of the 2017 major-league draft – was on the verge of being released by the Cubs.  The strong-armed outfielder, who had hit .237-4-35 in 110 games for  A-level South Bend in 2018, was told he would be released unless he was willing to take a shot at finding success as a pitcher (Side note:  Primarily an outfielder over three college seasons, Hughes had made seven relief appearances for Michigan State – as a freshman, in 2015 – putting up a 7.11 earned run average in 6 1/3 innings.  As a hitter, he  hit .304-13-93 in 159 games in three Michigan State seasons.)

Long story short, Hughes persevered and on May 17, found himself on the mound at Wrigley Field. He came on in the top of the sixth, with none on and one out and the Cubs leading the Pirates 6-0 and his outing wen like this.

Sixth Inning

• 2B Josh VanMeter, walk.
• CF Bryan Reynolds, strikeout.
• LF Ben Gamel, inning-ending strikeout.

Seventh inning

• DH Dan Vogelbach, strikeout.
• 1B Yoshi Tsutsugo, strikeout.
• 3B Michael Chavis, walk.
• SS Rodolfo Castro, strikeout.

Hughes was replaced to open  the top of the eighth by Mark Leiter, Jr.

Oh, that record-book thing? STATS reported that Hughes was the first MLB pitcher since 1900 to record at least five outs in their MLB debut with all those outs coming via the strikeout.  Just more #InBaseballWeCountEverything.

At the end of May, Hughes had a 3,72  ERA over seven  appearances. Guess that switch paid off.

1-2-3 and You’re Out at the Old Ball Game

On May 20, The Nationals turned 2022’s first MLB triple play in a 7-0 loss to the Brewers (in Milwaukee).  It came in the bottom of the seventh. The inning started with the Nationals’ Carl Edwards, Jr. walking Brewers’ 3B Jace Peterson and 2B Kolten Wong.  On the first pitch in his at bat, SS Luis Urias hit a groundball to third.  Nationals’ 3B Maikel Franco  snagged it, stepped on the bag and fired to 2B Cesar Hernandez, who made the pivot and got the ball to 1B Josh Bell for the triple-killing. The odds, of course, favor this, but Baseball Roundtable did note that all six involved players (batter, base runners and fielders) were infielders.

More #InBaseballWeCountEverything

On May 21, 27-year-old Rockies’ rookie catcher Brian Serven collected his first major-league hit. It came in his second career game since a call up from Triple-A Albuquerque, where he was hitting .273-5-11 in 23 games.  After going zero-for-two in his first MLB games (May 177), Serven hit a two-run home run in his first May 17 at bat (bottom of the second inning versus the Mets).  He then grounded out in fifth, hit another two-run home run in the sixth and flied out in the seventh. According to MLB.com, that performance made Serven  the only player in MLB history whose first two major-league hits were multi-run homers in the same game.

Reeling in a Nice Round Number

On May 21, as the Angels topped the A’s 5-3 in Anaheim, Mike Trout went zero-for-three with a walk with a run scored.  The run scored was the 1,000^th of his 12-season (including 2022) MLB career – making him just the third player in MLB history to score at least 1,000 runs, hit at least 300 home runs and steal at least 200 bases by his age-30 season. The others? Willie Mays and Alex Rodriguez.  Pretty good company.  or those who like to know such things, Trout has led the AL in runs scored four times.

Time to buy that “Old Guys Rule T-Shirt.”

In May, 39-year-old Astros’ starter Justin Verlander went 4-1, 2.27 in five starts,  – giving him a 6-2, 2.03 record on the season. 

Reds Leave Cubs Red-Faced

On May 26, the Reds pounded the Cubs 20-5 in front of 3,578 delighted (despite a 59-minute rain delay)  home-town fans. It was the first 20-run game for the Reds since a 22-3 win over the Phillies on September 4, 1999.  What struck Baseball Roundtable about the May 26 game is that five Reds’ hitters drove in three or more runs:

• SS Kyle Farmer … 4-for-4, five RBI (two home runs)
• 2B Matt Reynolds … 3-for-3, three RBI (one triple)
• LF Albert Amora, Jr. … 3-for-5, three RBI
• DH Tommy Pham … 2-for-4, three RBI (one double)
• 3B Brandon Drury … 2-for-6, three RBI (one double)

In the September 4, 1999 win over the Phillies (in Philadelphia), six Reds collected at least three RBI:  2B Pokey Reese (3); RF Dmitri Young (4); LF Greg Vaughn (3); C Ed Taubensee (3); 3B Aaron Boone (3); and 3B Mark Lewis, who replaced Boone in the sixth inning (3). In that one, the Reds got home runs from Reese, Young, Vaughn, Taubensee (two homers), Boone, Lewis, CF Jeffrey Hammonds and C Brian Johnson.

Trevor’s Story

On May 15, Trevor Story had appeared in 29 of the Red Sox’ 34 games and was hitting a disappointing .196, with just one home run and 15 RBI. Then, in a ten-game span, between May 16 and May 26, Story went 13-for-39 (.333), with eight home runs and 22 RBI – improving his season line to .232-9-37.  He finished May .220-9-37 on the season. 

Like Father, Like Son – Except on the Other Side of the Pitch

On May 30, the Tigers called up 26-year-old Kody Clemens (Roger Clemens’ youngest son) from Triple-A Toledo. Clemens, a 2018 third-round draft choice out of the University of Texas at Austin, was hitting .283-8-31 (in 45 games) for Toledo. – and had appeared at 1B, 2B, 3B and LF.  Clemens made his MLB  debut May 31, going zero-for three, with one walk.

–——Team  Statistical Leaders  Through May 31  ———-

If the season ended May 31, your post-season teams would be”

American League: Yankees, Astros, Twins.  Wild Cards: Blue Jays, Rays, Angels.

National League:  Dodgers< Mets, Brewers. Wild Cards: Padres, Cardinals; Giants.

 

RUNS SCORED (average 209)

National League – Dodgers (270); Mets (266); Giants (244)

American League – Angels (2356; Red Sox (235); Yankees (229)

Through May, the fewest runs were scored by the Tigers at 138. The next fewest was by the Pirates (166).

AVERAGE (average .240)

National League – Mets (.268); Rockies (.265); Nationals (.254)

American League – Red Sox  (.258); Angels (.250); Twins (.248)

The lowest team average through May belonged to the A’s at .213. The Diamondbacks were the lowest in the NL at .220.

HOME RUNS (average 49)

National League – Brewers (70); Braves (62); Diamondbacks (59); Dodgers (59)

American League –  Yankees (69); Angels (68); Astros (64)

The Tigers had the fewest home runs through May at 29.  The Nationals had the fewest in the NL at 32. 

STOLEN BASES (average 25)

National League – Cardinals (40); Cubs (34); Brewers (31);

American League – Rangers (39); Rays (34); A’s (34)

The Twins and Rockies stole the fewest bass through May at just ten each – in seventeen and eighteen attempts, respectively.  

WALKS DRAWN  (average 156)

National League –   Dodgers (208); Giants (184); Diamondbacks (182)

American League – Twins (181); Mariners (174); Yankees (170)

The Mets led MLB  in on-base percentage through May at .337. The Twins led the AL  at .325. In slugging percentage, the Dodgers were  on top at .430, while the Angels  led the AL at .425.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS (average 409)

National League – Braves (487); Diamondbacks (471); Brewers (451)

American League – Angels (451); Orioles (438); A’s (432)

Guardians’ batters went down on strikes the fewest times through May  (324).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (average 3.93)

National League – Dodgers (2.76); Brewers (3.36); Padres (3.40)

American League – Astros (2.82); Yankees (2.91); Rays (3.36)

Three teams had ERAs through May  of 5.00  or higher – Reds  (5.41); Nationals (5.23); Royals (5.10)

STRIKEOUTS (average 434)

National League – Brewers (500); Mets (463); Phillies (461)

American League – Yankees (449); White Sox (440); Twins (436)

The Brewers  averaged an MLB-best 10.0 strikeouts per nine innings through May. The White Sox averaged an AL-best 9.4.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED (average 156)

National League – Dodgers (125); Giants (136); Mets (146)

American League –  Yankees (121); Rays (123); Blue Jays (122)

The Rays and Yankees walked a stringiest 2.5  batters per nine frames through May. The Reds walked an MLB’s highest 4.3 per nine innings.

SAVES (average 13)

National League – Brewers (23); Padres (19); Braves (15); Rockies (15); Diamondbacks (15)

American League – Blue Jays (21); White Sox (18); Yankees (17)

Bonus Stats – In the Field

The  Pirates  made the most errors through May (39); while  the Padres were guilty of the fewest miscues (16).   

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

 

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