BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE JUNE WRAP UP – Inside-the-Parkers, Grand Slams, Bruce the Bat Dog, a Five Southpaw Shutout and More

It’s July 1, and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s June Wrap up – a look at the stats and stories that caught The Roundtable’s attention over the past month, as well as The Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month, Trot Index and more.  Just a few of May’s highlights that you will find in this post:

• A pair of third basemen – Manny Machado and Nolan Areando rapping thier 350th MLB home runs;
• Shohei Ohtani returning to the mound and hitting his 250th MLB home run;
• A starting pitcher not name Ohtani (Trevor Rogers) batting twice in a game;
• One batter with 40 hits and a .400 average for the month (Yandy Diaz), a pitcher (Zack Wheeler) with a 0.58 ERA in five starts and a pitcher (Tarik Skubal) with five wins in five starts;
• Bruce the Bat Dog called up to the big leagues from Triple-A;
• A team (Brewers) scoring 26 runs over two games, without the benefit of a single home run;
• Steve Matz‘ four-strikeout inning;
• Wilyer Abreu hitting a Grand Slam and an inside-the-park homer in the same game;
• Five Astros‘ southpaws combining for a shutout;
• The Nationals’ James Wood drawing four Intentional Walks in a single game; and
• Much more.

See the Highlights Section for these stories and more.

Note: For those looking for a Baseball Roundtable Tuesday Trivia(l) Tidbit, you’ll find a few in the Highlights section.

—-PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THE MONTH … MAY 2025—-

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Player of the Month – Ketel Marte, 2B, Diamondbacks

Marte put up a .330-9-24 line in June. His nine home runs tied for third in the NL, his 24 RBI tied for second and his .330 average was eighth among NL hitters with at least 75 June at bats.  In addition, his 33 hits tied for second in the league and his 24 runs scored tied for third.  Marte had eight multi-hit games and five multi-RBI games during the month.

Honorable Mentions: Dodgers’ 3B Max Muncy put up a .333-7-24 line in June.  His .333 average was fifth in the NL (75 at bat minimum), his seven homers tied for sixth, and his 24 RBI tied for second. He also scored 22 runs – fifth in the NL. In addition, Muncy drew 19 walks (versus 17 strikeouts), giving him June’s fourth-best NL On-Base Percentage (among hitters with at least 75 June at bats) at .459. Diamondbacks’ 3B Eugenio Suarez hit .315 for the month, led the league in RBI (27) and tied for the NL lead in June in home runs (10). He lost a few points with The Roundtable due to the fact that he drew just two walks, versus 33 strikeouts.

Only three NL hitters scored 20 or more runs and also drove in 20 or more runs in June. Max Muncy, Ketel Marte and Juan Soto.

Pitcher of the Month – Zack Wheeler, RHP, Phillies

Wheeler was about as dominant as you can be in June, putting up a miniscule 0.58 earned run average (MLB’s lowest among pitchers with at least 25 June innings) over five starts.  Wheeler gave up just two earned runs in 31 innings – and fanned 42 batters, while walking just seven. Those starts produced a 2-1 record for Wheeler, while the Phillies won four of the five games.  His final start of the month – June 30 against the Padres – was his best – eight scoreless innings, no walks and ten strikeouts in a 4-0 Phillies’ win.

Honorable Mentions: Wheeler’s Philadelphia teammate, LHP Ranger Suarez, put up a 1.30 ERA, while pitching an MLB-leading 41 2/3 innings (six starts).  Suarez went 3-2 on the month and fanned 36 batters, while walking seven.  RHP Logan Webb of the Giants went 2-1, 2.23 in six June starts and led the NL in June strikeouts with 43 (just seven walks).

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Player of the Month – Cal Raleigh, C, Mariners

Raleigh hit .300-11-27 for June, with 22 runs scored and three steals (in four attempts). He led the AL in June RBI, and tied for first in both home runs home runs and runs scored. Raleigh also continued his Gold Glove defense behind the plate. June marked Raleigh’s continued assault on power records for catchers.  He ended the month leading all of MLB in home runs (33) and RBI (71). You’ll find more on Raleigh in the Highlights section. Raleigh was the only AL player to both score and drive in more than 20 runs in June.  He had eight multi-hit games and seven multi-RBI contests during the month. (On June17, he drove in six of the Mariners eight runs in an 8-0 win over the Red Sox.)

Honorable Mentions: Wow?  You can’t leave off Rays’ 1B Yandy Diaz, who hit an MLB-best .400 in June (a nice even 40-for-100).  His 40 June base knocks led all of MLB.  His line on the month was .400-5-13, with 16 runs scored. Diaz hit safety in all but three of his 25 July games and from June 6 through June 25 enjoyed a 15-game hitting streak, during which he went .476-4-10.  If he had racked up at least 20 RBI or 20 runs scored, he may very well have pushed Raleigh out of the top spot. The were a few others in the running: Tigers’ 2B Riley Greene (.360-6-23); Angels’ CF Jo Adell (.293-11-19, with 20 runs scored); and Twins’ CF Byron Buxton (.310-9-21, with 17 runs scored and six stolen bases).

Pitcher of the Month – Tarik Skubal, LHP, Tigers

Gotta go with five starts, five wins and a 1.89 earned run average. That was the month for Detroit ace Tarik Skubal. In addition, his 39 strikeouts tied for third in the AL, and he walked just seven in 33 1/3 innings. Skubal pitched at least seven frames in three of his starts and gave up two or fewer runs in four of the five. He was the only MLB pitcher with five June wins.

Honorable Mentions. Hard Luck Hunter Brown has got to get a shoutout here. The Astros’ righty put up a sparkling 1.19 earned run average in June (best in the AL among pitcher with at least 25 innings pitched) – and got only one win (no losses) to show for it. The Astros won all five of his starts and he left the game with a lead in four games and with the score tied in one. Finally, kudos to Astros’ closer Josh Hader, who appeared in 14 games and picked up four wins (one loss) and nine saves; put up a 1.98 ERA; and fanned 22 (one walk) in 13 2/3 innings.

 

—MLB Surprise of the Month—

Quinn Priester, RHP Brewers

Priester could also have been an Honorable Mention for NL Pitcher of the Month, but we’ll give him his own spot here. The 24-year-old righty was a Pirates’ first-round MLB Draft pick (out of high school in 2019). Before joining the Brewers this season, he pitched in the Pirates and Red Sox minor-league systems (as well as brief MLB stints with the Pirates and BoSox).  His minor-league record was 26-17, 3.61 (six seasons). His major-league record, before June of this year, was 8-11, 5.15 (37 games/22 starts). In June, Priester went 4-0 in five starts, with a 1.98 earned run average and 29 strikeouts (just five walks) in 27 1/3 innings.  In his final June start (a win over the Rockies), he gave up one hit and two walks, while fanning eleven and shutting out the Rox for seven frames.

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THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE

Through June  30,  34.5% of the MLB season’s 95,357  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 (21.9%); walks (8.5%); home runs (2.9%); HBP (1.1%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). 

The 34.5% matches  the 34.5% through June  in 2024 (perhaps we’ve plateaued and the Index no longer serves a purpose). I also looked into full-year Trot Index figures for the years I have been a fan: 34.9% in 2024; 30.3% in 2010; 29.9% in 2000; 31.7% in 1990; 23.1% in 1980; 27.0% in 1970; 25.1% in 1960; and 22.8% in 1950.

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Only one team played .700 ball in June – the Astros .731 (19-7)  and their pitching led the way.  The Astros’ staff put up an MLB-lowest June earned run average(2.93, the only team under 3.00), lowest batting average against ( .214) and lowest WHIP  (1.08). They also  had MLB’s highest strikeouts per nine innings (10.49) and held opponents scoreless in the most games (five). All of  this enabled them to put up MLB’s best June record despite finishing in the middle in runs scored (eighth in the AL, 13th in MLB). The leading Astros’ starters were Hunter Brown (1-0, 1.19, five starts); Framber Valdez (4-0, 1.74 in five starts); and  Colton Gordon (3-0, 2.14 in fiye starts). Further,  Josh Hader saved nine games in nine opportunities, picked up four wins (one loss)  and put up a 1.98 in 14 games. Also coming in from the pen: Bennett Sousa gave up just one run in nine outings (12 1/3 innings); Bryan Abreu had a 1.28 ERA in 13 appearances; and Shawn  Dubin was at 1.86 in nine appearances.

——-Team Statistical Leaders for June 2025 ———

RUNS SCORED

National League – Diamondbacks (143); Dodgers (137); Cardinals (131)

American League – Rays (151); Orioles (136); Red Sox (132)

The fewest runs in June were scored by the Guardians (72). In the National  League, it was the Nationals at 102. 

AVERAGE

National League – Marlins (.268); Brewers (.266); Pirates (.251)

American League – Rays (.280); Mariners (.270); Tigers (.269)

The lowest team average for June belonged to the Guardians at .206 – the only team under .224.

HOME RUNS

National League – Mets (45); Cubs (45); Diamondbacks (43)

American League – Angels (41); Twins (40); Orioles (38); Tigers (38)

The White Sox had the fewest home runs in June at 19.  The Pirates were at the bottom, of the NL at 20.

TOTAL BASES

National League –Dodgers (402); Cubs (397) Diamondbacks (396)

American League – Tigers (4020); Rays (411); Mariners (401)

The Tigers led MLB in June Slugging Percentage at .476.  The Diamondbacks led the NL (.449)

DOUBLES

National League – Marlins (52); Rockies (49); Dodges (45); Padres (45)

American League – Red Sox (55); Rangers (48); Tigers (47); Orioles (47)

TRIPLES

National League – Rockies (10); Dodgers (6); Diamondbacks (6)

American League – Tigers (11); Rays (6); White Sox (5); Red Sox (5)

The Mets and Cardinals had zero triples in June.

STOLEN BASES

National League – Cubs (26); Marlins (21); three with 20

American League – Rays (27); Mariners (26); Guardians (24); Rangers (24)

The Dodgers stole the fewest sacks in June at seven – in ten attempts.  The Blue Jays stole the fewest June bags in the AL – nine in fifteen attempts.  

WALKS DRAWN

National League – Giants (105); Braves (97); Dodgers (92)

American League – Yankees (102); Athletics (95); Rangers (95)

The Rays led MLB in June on-base percentage at .345. The Brewers led the NL at .336. The Guardians had MLB’s lowest June OBP at (.276).  The Cubs anchored the NL at .301.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Rockies (263); Pirates (234); Braves (228)

American League – Yankees (251); Athletics (250); Angels (247)

Blue Jays’ batters fanned the fewest times in June (158). The Nationals fanned the fewest times in the NL at 184.

 

Bonus Stat

 The Mariners’ Cal Raleigh drew seven intentional  walks in June, only three other TEAMS drew that many: Yankees (nine); Nationals eight); Rangers (seven). The Mariners led MLB with ten.  Raleigh, in fact, drew more IBB than the Rockies, Athletics, Twins, Marlins,  Astros and Cubs combined.  

 

EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League – Phillies (3.01); Brewers (3.20); Pirates (3.32)

American League – Astros (2.93); Yankees (3.19); Rangers (3.61)

The Twins had the highest June ERA at 6.07.  The only other team over 5.00 was the Rockies (5.30).

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Braves (258); Brewers (239); Padres (238)

American League –Astros (272); Rays (250); Orioles (243)

The Astros averaged an MLB-best 10.49 strikeouts per nine innings in June. The Braves averaged an NL-best 10.13.  Six teams averaged nine whiffs per nine or better.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED

National League –   Cubs (57); Phillies (65); Marlins (68)

American League – Rangers (67); Astros (69); Orioles (74); Tigers (74)

The Rangers walked an MLB-lowest 2.52 batters per nine innings in June.  The Red Sox walked an MLB-worst 3.99 batters per nine frames.

SAVES

National League – Dodgers (10); Brewers (9); Diamondbacks (9

American League –Astros (11); Red Sox (10); Orioles (8); Angels (8)

The Mets. Rockies and Angels tied for the most blown saves in June– seven (the Mets in 13 opportunities, the Rockies in 14 and the Angels in 15).  The Dodgers were the only team to not blow a save in June – ten saves in ten opportunities.

Walks+ Hits/Innings Pitched (WHIP)

National League – Pirates (1.10); Phillies (1.16); Brewers (1.20)

American League:  Astros (1.08); Mariners (1.14);Yankees (1.15)

Bonus Stats:

• The Mariners gave up an MLB-high 43 home runs in June. The Guardians gave up an MLB-low 22 home runs.
• Astros’ pitchers held opponents to an MLB-low .214 average in June. The Twins’ staff was touched for an MLB-high .276 average.
• The Astros’ strikeouts-to-walks ratio for June topped MLB at 3.94. The White Sox had MLB’s worst ratio at 2.10.

—-JUNE 2025 HIGHLIGHTS—-

A Manny Milestone

On June 5, Padres 3B Manny Machado popped a two-run home run with two outs in the third inning of the Giants 3-2 win over the rival Padres. It was not only a big home run in a tight game, but also a big one in Machado’s career – his 350^th career MLB roundtripper. Machado, in his 14^th season, has seven seasons of 30 or more home runs.

Well, That’s 100

On June 6, Angels’ 35-year-old righty Kyle Hendricks notched his 100^th MLB victory – giving up four runs in six innings, as the Angels topped the Mariners 5-4. The 100^th win came in Hendriks’ 12 MLB season and 273rd start. At the close of June, Hendricks career record was 102-87, 3.74.

Well, That’s One

On June 10, Reds’ 26-year-old southpaw Andrew Abbott pitched his first MLB complete game – and recorded his first MLB shutout – in a tight 1-0 win over the Guardians in Cleveland. Abbott allowed just three his and one walk, while fanning five in the 110-pitch outing. The shutout came in Abbott’s third MLB season and 57^th career start. Abbott, who came into the season with a 18-16, 3.78 MLB career record, has been a pleasant surprise for the Reds. Through June, he is 7-1, 1.79 on the season.

I Thought the Dog Days of Summer Were in August

On June 14, Bruce the Bat Dog – a southpaw Golden Retriever recently called up from Triple-A Rochester Red Wings – made his MLB debut for the Washington Nationals. Bruce’s MLB debut coincided with the Nationals’ Pups in the Park Day.  Despite the 4-3 loss to the Marlins, all reports say that Bruce was a “hit.”

State of The Game

This is a state of the game highlight.  On June 14, Mets’ southpaw David Peterson threw his second career complete game and first career shutout (in his sixth season and 98^th career start. Sign of the times:  Peterson’s shutout (also his first complete game of the season) tied him for the 2025 NL lead in complete games and shutouts. Peterson ended June with a 5-4, 3.30 record on the season.

Shohei Shows Up

On June 14, as the Dodgers toppled the Giants 11-5 (in LA), DH Shohei Ohtani went two-for-three, with two solo home runs. The pair of blasts gave Ohtani 25 on the season and 250 in his MLB career (2018-25).  Ohtani, by the way, did have 48 home runs in Japan before coming stateside.  More #InBaseballWeCountEverything, Sonja Chen at MLB.com, noted that the pair of home runs made Ohtani the fastest MLB player to reach 250 or more home runs and 150 or more stolen bases (928 games), usurping Alex Rodriguez (977 games).

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother

On June 14, as the Cardinals were besting the Brewers 8-5 in Milwaukee, the brothers Contreras both enjoyed the final frame.  In the top of the ninth, Willson Contreras (playing 1B and batting cleanup for the Cardinals) hit a solo home run (off Rob Zastryzny … gotta be the only MLB name with two z’s and two y’s in it).) Not to be outdone, brother William Contreras (catching and batting third for the Brewers) homered in the bottom of the inning (off Ryan Helsley … he of two e’s and two l’s).

According to the Elila Sports Bureau, it was just the second time brothers have homered as opponents in the same inning in the Modern Era (post-1900) and the eleventh time overall that brothers have homered in the same inning of the same game.  The other brothers to homer in the same inning as opponents are Rick and Wes Ferrell in an Indians at Red Sox matchup on July 19, 1933.  They each went deep in the fourth inning of that one, won by the Indians 8-7 in 13 innings.

Roundtable Extra

On April 10, 2024, as the Guardians hosted the White Sox, brothers Josh and Bo Naylor celebrated National Siblings Day in style. In the fourth inning, Josh (playing first base and batting cleanup) hit a solo home run off Erick Fedde.  Three batters (and one brother) later catcher Bo hit a solo shot of his own off Fedde.

But the brothers Naylor were not done yet.  In the bottom of the tenth, with the Guardians trailing 6-5, Josh hit an RBI double to retie the game and Bo drove Josh home with a single to win it. 

#InBaseballWeCountEverything

On June 15, Red SS Elly De La Cruz went three-for-five, with three runs scored and three RBI, as the Reds toppled the Tigers 8-4. In the game, Cruz rapped his 16^th home run of the season – and it marked his fourth consecutive game with a dinger. Now for that counting thing.  The only other Reds, age 23 or younger, to homer in four straight games is a pretty impressive list – Johnny Bench, Frank Robinson and Eric Davis.  The franchise record for consecutive games with a home run is seven, by Joey Votto (July 24-30, 2021).  De La Cruz’ streak stopped the next day, with a zero-for-three in a 6-5 win over the Twins.  De La Cruz finished June hitting .xxx-xx-xx, with xx steals on the season.

Shohei Show Closer to a True Double Feature

On June 16, Shohei Ohtani made his first regular-season mound appearance since elbow surgery in September of 2022. As expected, his time on the bump was short – just one inning. Notably, Ohtani did reach 100.2 MPH with one pitch – a wild pitch – and he was at 95 MPH+ on several offerings. He gave up two hits and one run in his outing. At the plate he went two-for-four with a double and two RBI.

Side note:   The game was the most watched in MLB.TV history.

Ohtani was back on the mound on June 22, with better results. Still only one inning, but this time he retired the Nationals (in LA) 1-2-3 in the first frame, tossing 18 pitches (12 strikes) and recording a pair of strikeouts. At the plate, Ohtani went two-for-four, with a walk, a triple and a home run (three runs scored, five RBI).

He returned to the hill on June 28, for a two-inning scoreless stint (one hit one walk, one strikeout), during which he hit 101.7 MPH on the radar gun (the fastest pitch by any Dodger to that point in the season). He didn’t fare as well at the plate … zero-for-four with three strikeouts.

So, will Ohtani return to past pitching form?  For your consideration:  In 2022-23, he went 25-14, 2.69 with 386 strikeouts in 298 innings; while going .287-78-190 at the plate. And let’s not forget 2025’s 54 homer-59 steal season, when he hit .310, led the league in homers (54), runs scored (134) and RBI (130).

Lucky Seven for the Rox

On June 17, The Rockies came into their game with the Nationals (in Washington D.C.) without much to be happy about a 16-56 record, the most runs surrendered and the fourth-fewest runs scored in MLB. To say the least, the season had not been pretty.

Still, there was reason for hope. The Rox were on a two-game winning streak, with a chance to match their longest win streak of the year (three) – and the Nationals were on a nine-game losing streak. Note: The 2025 Rockies, to that point, had endured seven losing streaks of five or more games, including four eight-game losing streaks).

The Rockies did get that third consecutive win, topping the Nationals 10-6.  In the process, they tied the club record for home runs in a contest (seven). Going deep for the Rockies were: 2B Thairo Estrada (his first of the season); 1B Michael Toglia (two homers that day); C Hunter Goodman; 3B Ryan McMahon; LF Sam Hilliard; and DH Mickey Moniak. Moniak’s long ball, in the eighth inning, was the seventh and final home run for the Rockies. (This will come to play a bit later).

In a bit of #InBaseballWeCountEverything, the Rockies collected ten hits in the game, making them just the second team in the Modern Era to hit seven home runs in a game, while collecting ten or fewer hits.  The only other time that has happened was August 4, 2022, when the Angels had nine hits and seven home runs in an 8-7 loss to the Athletics in LA. Here’s the kind of coincidence that often catches the Roundtable’s eye.  In that game, the seventh homer for the Angels also was hit by Moniak – playing CF for the Angels.  Other Angels with homers were: DH Shohei Ohtani (two); C Kurt Suzuki; RF Taylor Ward; LF Jo Adell; and 1B Jared Walsh.

Rally Behind Raleigh

On June 17, as the Mariners bested the Red Sox 8-0 in Seattle, Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh continued his assault on MLB pitching. Raleigh went three-for-four, with a home run (his MLB-leading 27^th of the season) and six RBI (tying him for the AL lead at 60).  Couple that with his defense (he was a Platinum Glove winner in 2024) and we are looking at a remarkable season for a backstop. For those who like to know such things, the most home runs by a catcher in an MLB season is 48 (Salvador Perez, Royals, 2021) and the most RBI by a catcher in a season is 148 (Johnny Bench, Reds, 1970).

But wait, there’s more. On June 21,  Raleigh hit his 30^th roundtripper of the season:

• Setting a new record for most homers by a switch hitter before the All Star Break (passing Mickey Mantle, Jose Ramirez and Lance Berkman); and
• Passing Johnny Bench for the most homers by a primary catcher before the break.

Raleigh finished June with a .xxx-xx.xx – and there’s still about two weeks left until the break.

Walk (Off) This Way

On June 18, 53,568 fans showed up at Dodger Stadium to take in the latest episode in the Dodgers/Padres rivalry – and they were treated to a great matchup.  The home squad carried a 3-1 lead into the top of the ninth, thanks in great part to a two-run, fifth-inning single off the bat of rookie C Daulton Rushing (starting in place of regular catcher Will Smith). The Padres, however, came back to tie it at three in the top of the ninth – moving the LA faithful to the edge of their seats.

After Dodger 2B Tommy Edman popped out (off Robert Suarez) to open the bottom of the ninth, the Dodgers sent regular catcher Smith to the plate in place of LF Enrique Hernandez. Smith fell behind 0-2 (including a drive into the stands just to the left of the left-field foul pole) and then took Suarez deep to RF for a game-winning, walk-off home run. Why is this a highlight? Well, it was Smith’s third career pinch-hit, walk-off home run, setting a new franchise record for pinch-hit, walk-off dingers. For those who like to know such things, the MLB record for pinch-hit, walk-off homers is six – by Jason Giambi. The record for most total walk-off homers is 13 by Jim Thome.

Smith, by the way, is having a career season.  He ended June with a .xxx-x-xx line on the campaign.

Coming Back – All the Way Back

Going into the bottom of the third inning on June 18, the Rays (at home) trailed the Orioles 8-0. The Orioles had eight runs on seven hits (three home runs), while the Rays had two walks and a pair of singles.  Things turned around at that point, as the Orioles did not collect another safety over the final seven innings, while the Rays plated 12 runs on 16 hits (three homers) for a 12-8 victory. The comeback from an eight-run deficit tied for the largest comeback in Rays’ franchise history.

Nine days later, the Orioles did a pretty good job of “returning the favor.”  In a Rays/O’s matchup in Baltimore, the Birds trailed 6-0 going into the bottom of the second inning.  Baltimore then scored 22 of the next 24 runs in the game, to record a 22-8 home victory. It was the second most runs scored in a game in Orioles franchise history.

Rolling a Four – The Hard Way

On June 19, the Cardinals’ Steven Matz, in the second inning of a 5-4 win over the White Sox, became the 95^th MLB pitcher to throw a four-strikeout inning – and it was an adventure.  The inning started with the Cardinals and White Sox tied at two and Matz taking the mound in place of starter Erick Fedde.  Matz first faced pinch hitter Lenyn Sosa, who struck out swinging on a 0-2 pitch, but reached first as the wild pitch evaded catcher Ivan Herrera. Next, pinch hitter Austin Slater fanned on an 0-2 pitch (looking) in a four-pitch at bat. Then, LF Michael Taylor gave the ChiSox the lead, taking Matz deep (for a two-run homer) on a 2-2 pitch. RF Michael Tauchman then fanned (looking) on an 0-2 pitch and SS Chase Meidroth went down looking on a 1-2 offering.  Matz came out again to open the seventh and gave up two singles and a walk (with a double play sandwiched in) before being relieved by Andre Granillo.

A few four-strikeout inning tidbits for those who like such things:

• Chuck Finley has thrown the most four-strikeout innings (three) and is the only MLB pitcher with two four-strikeout innings in one season (1999);
• Four-strikeout innings have become more commonplace. Sixty-six of the 103 four-whiff frames have occurred since 2000;
• The 103 four-strikeout frames have included two multi-pitcher innings;
• 36 of the four strikeout frames have been accomplished with only four batters coming to the plate;
• In the first inning of the fifth (and final) game of the 1918 World Series, the Cubs’ Orval Overall (great name) became the first – and still only – pitcher to strikeout four batters in a single World Series inning. (Overall went the distance in a 2-0 Cubs win in Detroit.)

Pete Crow-Armstrong on the Fast Track

On June 19, Cubs’ 23-year-old CF Pete Crow-Armstrong popped his 20^th home run of the seasons in an 8-7 loss to the Brewers. It’s in these highlights because it was Crow-Armstrong’s 20th home run in 73 games played this season. Combined with his 23 stolen bases, it marks the quickest in a season that any Cub reached the 20-20 mark (73 games). The previous leader was Sammy Sosa (in his 96^th game in 1964).  Clearly, Crow-Armstrong is “feeling it” this season. In 2024, he went .237-10-47, with 27 steals in 123 games.  As this June closed out, he was .xxx-xx-xx, with xx steals in xx games.

This achievement also makes the highlights because it gives me a chance to recognize one of my favorite (and I think underrated or at least under-talked about) players, Eric Davis.  In 1987, the Reds’ outfielder reached the 20-20 mark in a record-low 46 games played (at which point he was .327-20-55, with 23 steals). While Davis was just a two-time All Star, he topped 20 stolen bases in seven of his 17 MLB seasons (a high of 80 in 1986) and hit 20 or more home runs eight times (a high of 37 in 1987).  His best campaign was probably 1987, when he hit .293, with 37 home runs, 50 steals, 100 RBI and 120 runs scored in 129 games.

350 homers for Nolan – 1,000 hits for Juan

On June 19, in separate games, Cardinals’ 3B Nolan Arenado, a ten-time Gold Glove winner, launched his 350^th MLB career home run (in an 8-6 Cardinals win over the White Sox).  That same day, Mets’ RF Juan Soto picked up his 1,000th career base hit in a 7-1 loss to the Braves.

Fun, Fun, Fun in the Warm California Sun

In June 19, In the final inning of a four-game Padres/Dodgers series in Los Angeles, the mood went from California warm to quite “hot.”  In the top of the ninth, Padres’ star Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit by a pitch (with one out and no one on). In the bottom of the frame, Dodgers’ star Shohei Ohtani was hit by a pitch.  Long story short, the benches cleared and both managers (and Padres’ closer Roger Suarez) were ejected. (Side note: The Padres won 5-3.)

The melee probably came as no surprise. Just two days earlier (in a Dodgers 8-6 win), Tatis, Jr. was plunked in the top of the third inning and, coincidentally (?), Ohtani was hit by a pitch in the bottom of the frame.   Perhaps as significant, in the four games series (won three games-to-one by the Dodgers), there were a total of eight HBP.

Good Timing Mr. Judge

On June 20, the Yankees lost to the Orioles 5-3 in New York, but the 47,034 fans did get a bit of a treat anyway. It happened to be Aaron Judge Superman Bobblehead Night and, in the top of the third inning, Judge celebrated the give-away with his 27^th home run of the season.

No Need to Buy a Vowel

On June 20, 23-year-old Brewers’ righty Jacob Misiorowski started for the Brewer’s against my hometown Twins. “The Miz” (saving myself some typing here) was coming off an MLB debut in which he pitched five no-hit (four-walk/five-strikeout) innings in a start against the Cardinals. (The Miz got the win, as the Brewers triumphed 6-0.)

In his start against the Twins, he picked up a second win, giving up two runs on one hit and one walk (six strikeouts) over six innings.  Importantly for the highlights, The Miz pitched six perfect innings before the Twins touched him for a walk (Byron Buxton) and a two-run home run (Matt Wallner) to open the seventh. He is the first MLB pitcher (Modern Era) to begin his career in the Show with eleven hitless innings.  (Elias Sport Bureau).  For those who like to know such things, in his outing against the Twins, The Miz threw 29 fastballs that hit triple digits.

Just five days later, June 25, 42,774 fans showed up at American Family Field in Milwaukee (the largest Milwaukee crowd of the season) to see The Miz go up against the Pirates’ ace and last year’s Rookie of the Year and NL All Star Game starter Paul Skenes. Misiorowski was up to the task, getting the win after tossing five shutout innings (two hits, two walks, eight strikeouts) in a 4-2 Brewers’ triumph.  Side note:  The Miz set the tone early, reaching triple-digits on 12 of 23  first-inning offerings.  The Miz ended June with a 3-0, 1.13 record on the season.

Misiorowski was signed in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft out of Crowder College, where he sent 10-0, 2.72 in 15 starts (fanning 136 in 76 innings) in his only college season. In four minor-league seasons, he was 11-9, 3.04, with 320 strikeouts in 233 2/3 innings.

A Little Good Old-Fashioned Hardball

On June 20 and 21, the Brewers put up 26 runs in topping the Twins (in Minnesota) by scores of 17-6 and 9-0. The highlight?  They did it the old-fashioned way, plating 26 runs without the benefit of a single home run. In the 17-6 win (June 20), Christian Yelich drove in a career-high eight runs without scoring a run – becoming the first MLB player in the Modern Era to drive in that many tallies without scoring one himself. Stathead.com also shows 168 player games of eight or more RBI since 1901 (by 152 different players) –  and only three of those were accomplished without a home run. Yelich, Gavvy Cravath, Phillies (August 8, 1915) and Bill Kiester, Orioles (June 29, 1901).

Move Over Han Solo … A Star Wars Kind of Bombing

On June 21, as the Mets topped the Phillies in Philadelphia by an 11-4 score, the New York squad hit seven home runs. That tied the record for solo home runs in a game. Going deep were SS Francisco Lindo; LF Brandon Nimmo (two homers); RF Juan Soto (two homers); DH Jared Young; and C Francisco Alvarez. Seven was a lucky number, as the outburst helped the Mets snap a seven-game losing streak and made the Mets the seventh team with seven solo homers in a game and the fourth whose seven solo shots comprised all of their home runs in the contest.) A nod to Sarah Lang on this one.

Burns Off to a Hot Start

Okay, consider this.  You are a 22-year-old righthander in your first professional season – and, with just 13 minor-league mound appearances under your belt, you’re called up by the Reds. Your first assignment?  Start on the mound (on June 24) against the AL East-leading Yankees – with the likes of former MVP’s RF Aaron Judge, LF Cody Bellinger, 1B Paul Goldschmidt. So, what do you do?  You become (Elias Sports Bureau) the first MLB pitcher in the Expansion Era (since 1961) to strike out the first five batters faced in your MLB debut – and the three former MVPs noted above are each among the batters you send back to the dugout on strikes. After those five strikeouts, you give up a single (3B Jazz Chisholm, Jr.), but come back to fan the seventh MLB hitter you face (SS Anthony Volpe) to notch six strikeouts in your first wo MLB innings.

Okay, so it wasn’t you, it was Reds’ prospect Chase Burns, who ultimately gave up three runs over six innings in a no-decision – but, oh, that blazing start to his career.

It was, by the way, not a total surprise. Burns was a first -round (second overall) pick in the 2024 MLB Draft (out of Wake Forest University),  after going 23-6, 3.21, with 408 strikeouts over 252 1/3 innings pitched (over three college seasons … for Tennessee and Wake Forest). This season, his first professional campaign, he was 7-3, 1.77, with 89 strikeouts in 66 innings at High-A, Double-A and Triple-A before his callup.

Moore Power to Ya!

On June 24, Angels’ 22-year-old 2B Christian Moore played his 12^th major league game – batting in the nine-hole as the Angels hosted the Red Sox. At the time, Moore was hitting just .156, with one home run and three RBI. In that June 24 contest, Moore homered (on an 0-1 pitch from Greg Weissert) in the eighth to tie the game at 1-1 – and and smoked a two-run homer in the tenth (on a 1-1 pitch from Justin Wilson) to give the Angels a 3-2 walk-off win.  Here’s a little #InBaseballWeCountEverytning.”  Sarah Langs at MLB.com reports that Moore is the first player “at least in the expansion era” with multiple game-tying or go-ahead home runs in a single game in the eighth inning or later in his first dozen MLB games.

Moore was a first-round pick eighth overall) in the 2024 MLB Draft – out of the University of Tennessee, where he hit .338-61-160 over 186 games (three seasons). In two minor-league seasons, he went .302-11-52 in 79 games (A, Double-A, Tripe-A). I think we can expect Moore power from this young man going forward.

The South(paws) Will Rise Again

On June 25, the Astros started rookie left-hander Colton Gordon against the Phillies in Houston. The southpaw picked up his third win – tossing five shutout innings (four hits/four strikeouts), as the Astros prevailed 2-0.   Gordon got plenty of help from fellow lefthanders, as four southpaw relievers (Steven Okert, Bennett Sousa, Bryan King and Josh Hader) combined to toss four shutout innings (one frame each) – preserving the shutout and notching three holds and a save. It was clearly a good day to be a lefty.

The Almost Game

On June 27, despite the Red holding an 8-1 lead over the Padres after seven innings, the 26,000+ fans at the Great American Ballpark were still on the edge of their seats. You see, at that time, Reds’ starter Nick Martinez was tossing a no-hitter and Reds’ 1B Spencer Steer was one homer shy of tying the all-time, single-game record of four roundtrippers (and was due to lead off the bottom of the eighth.)

Martinez kept the suspense alive, retiring the Padres in order in the top of the eighth frame. Steer, unfortunately, fanned on five pitches to open the bottom of the frame. Still a good day, three-for-four, with three home runs and four RBI – and the fans still had that looming no-hitter to look forward to.

Unfortunately, after walking the first batter in the top of the ninth (DH Trenton Brooks, hitting .182 and batting in the eight-hole, Martinez gave up a double to C Elias Diaz – and the no-hitter was gone.  After the hit, Martinez was replaced on the mound by Taylor Rogers. The Reds eventually won 8-1 and fans narrowly missed seeing a bit of baseball history.

A long Time A’Comin’

On March 28, Pirates’ righthander Mitch Keller got his first start of the 2025 season.  He went five innings and gave up just one run (five hits, one walk four strikeouts) – picking up the win, as the Pirates topped the Marlins 4-3. It would a day short of three month and 16 starts later before Keller again saw a “W” next to his name.  Between March 28 and his June 27 win over the Mets, Keller would start fifteen games and go 0-10, 4.19.

You Did That On Purpose

On June 28, as the Nationals topped the Angels 7-4 (11 innings), the Nats’ 22-year-old LF James Wood (in just his second MLB season/163^rd MLB game) joined a pretty elite group, led by Barry Bonds, who was intentionally walked four times four times. (Not a typo, just had to get that in here.)  See the chart for details.

Wood came into the game hitting .281-22-64 on the season, leading the Nationals’ regulars in home runs, RBI, base hits; doubles, walks, on-base percentage, slugging percentage and total bases.

Woods day went like this;

First Inning – One out single to left (on first pitch he saw from Jack Kochanowicz);

Fourth Inning – Ground out second to first, leading off, with Nationals down 1-0;

Fifth Inning – Intentional Walk (from Jose Fermin) with runners on first and second and one out;

Seventh Inning – Intentional Walk (from Reid Detmers) with a runner on first, one out and the game tied 2-2;

Ninth Inning – Intentional Walk (from Kenley Jansen) with a runner on third, two outs and the game tied 4-4;

Eleventh Inning – Intentional Walk (from Connor Brogdon), with a runner on third, one out and the Nationals up 7-4.

Line ‘Em Up and Mow ‘Em Down

On June 29, Tigers’ ace Tarik Skubal started against Twins in Detroit – and pretty much baffled the opposing batsmen. He gave up just one hit and one walk over seven innings – and notched a career-high 13 strikeouts.  Notably, every member of the Twins starting lineup fanned at least once and all but one of the 13 strikeouts came on a swing. The 3-0 win ran Skubal’s 2025 record to 10-2, 2.15

Home Run Extremes

On June 30, as the Red Sox topped the Reds 13-6 in Fenway, Boston RF Wilyer Abreu became just the sixth major leaguer to hit (separately) an inside-the-park home run and a Grand Slam in the same game.  The inside-the-parker came in the fifth inning (Abreu led off the frame) on an 0-2 pitch from Joe La Sorsa. The Grand Slam was delivered in the eighth on the first pitch Abreu saw from Connor Phillips. Others with both an inside-the-parker and Grand Slam in a game include:  Jocko Fields (1890 Pittsburgh Burghers, Players League); Everett Scott (1923 Yankees); Charlie Gehringer (1930 Tigers); Jim Tabor (1939 Red Sox); and Roger Maris (1958 Athletics).

A Rare Plate Appearance (or two) Indeed

In an Orioles 11-inning 10-6 win over the Rangers in Texas, Orioles’ starting pitcher Trevor Rogers came to the plate bat-in-hand twice – just the third starting pitcher not named Ohtani to come to the plate since the National adopted the Designated Hitter rule in 2022.  Rogers didn’t do much with the stick – striking out on three pitches to lead off the fourth inning and repeating the results to close sixth.

It all came about due to an injury (lower back) forced the Orioles’ starting catcher Chadwick Trump to leave the game in the bottom of the third. Baltimore backup catcher Gary Sanchez was already in the game at DH.  Moving Sanchez to catcher meant the Orioles had to give up the DH – and that put Rogers, now in the nine-spot in the order – on the hot seat. Rogers batted twice before being relieved on the mound – after which as series of pinch hitters and pitching changes kept Orioles hurlers out of the batter’s box.

 

—INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS FOR JUNE—

 

BATTING AVERAGE (at least 75 at bats)

American League: Yandy Diaz, Rays (.400); Jeremy Pena, Astros (.361); Riley Greene, Tigers (.360)

National League: Tyler Freeman, Rockies (.373); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (.360); Elly De La Cruz, Reds (.344)

The lowest June average among players with at least 75 June at bats belonged to Giants’ CF Jung Hoo Lee at .143 (12-for-84).

HITS

American League: Yandy Diaz, Rays (40); Riley Greene, Tigers (36); Jeremy Pena, Astros (35); Ernie Clement, Blue Jays (35)

National League: Luis Arreaz, Padres (34); Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks (33); CJ Abrams, Nationals (33); Elly De La Cruz, Reds (33); Andy Pages, Dodgers (33)

The Mariners’ Cal Raleigh led all MLBers in June extra-base hits with 17 – six doubles and eleven home runs.  

HOME RUNS

American League: Jo Adell, Angels (11); Cal Raleigh, Mariners (11); Byron Buxton, Twins (9); Aaron Judge, Yankees (9)

National League:  Juan Soto, Mets (11); Eugenio Suarez, Diamondbacks (11); Ian Happ, Cubs (9); Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks (9)

The Rockies’ Hunter Goodman led all hitters with at least 75 at bats in June slugging percentage at .734. The Mariners’ Cal Raleigh the AL at .690.

RUNS BATTED IN

American League: Cal Raleigh, Mariners (27); Riley Greene, Tigers (23); Trevor Story, Red Sox (223)

National League: Eugenio Suarez, Diamondbacks (27); Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks (24); Max Muncy, Dodgers (24)

RUNS SCORED

American League:  Cal Raleigh, Mariners (22); Brandon Lowe, Rays (22); Junior Caminero, Rays (21)

National League: Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (26); Juan Soto, Mets (25); Elly De La Cruz, Reds (24); Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks (24)

DOUBLES

American League: Ronald Arozarena, Mariners (9); Riley Greene, Tigers (9); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (9); Jeremy Pena, Astros (9); Marcus Semien, Rangers (9); Taylor Ward, Angels (9)

National League: Matt Olson, Braves (10); Willson Contreras, Cardinals (9); Kyle Tucker, Cubs (9); Xander Bogaerts, Padres (9)

TRIPLES

American League:  Zach McKinstry, Tigers (5); Jarren Duran, Red Sox (3); four  with two

National League: Jung Hoo Lee, Giants (4); Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (3); Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (3)

STOLEN BASES

American League:  Jose Caballero, Rays (10); Maikel Garcia, Royals (8); Zach McKinstry, Tigers (7); Joe Ramirez, Guardians (7)

National League: Oneil Cruz, Pirates (9); CJ Abrams, Nationals (8); Pete Crow-Armstrong (8)

The Nationals’ CJ Abrams stole the most June bases without getting caught (8).

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

American League:  Aaron Judge, Yankees (42); Lawrence Butler, Athletics (37); three with 32

National League: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (38); Oneill Cruz, Pirates (37); Ryan McMahon, Rockies (37)

WALKS

American League:  Mike Trout, Angels (22); Corey Seager, Rangers (22); Aaron Judge, Yankees (20)

National League: Juan Soto, Mets (25); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (23); James Wood, Nationals (20)

The Highest on-base percentage among players with at least 75 June at bats belonged to the Braves’ Ronald Acuna, Jr. at .491. The AL leader was the Rays’ Yandy Diaz at .469.  

PITCHING VICTORIES

American League:  Tarik Skubal, Tigers (5-0); seven with four wins

National League:  Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (4-0); Quinn Priester, Brewers (4-0); eleven with three wins

The Cardinals’ Erick Fedde (0-4, 5.93), Nationals’ Trevor Williams (0-4, 5.55) and Nationals’ Michell Parker (1-4, 4.60) tied for the lead in June losses.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 25 June innings)

American League: Hunter Brown, Astros (1.19); Seth Lugo, Royals (1.26); Jacob deGrom, Ranges (1.41)

National League: Zack Wheeler, Phillies (0.58); Ranger Suarez, Phillies (1.30); Matthew Boyd, Cubs (1.78)

STRIKEOUTS

American League: Garrett Crochet, Red Sox (55 K / 40 1/3 IP); Yusei Kikuchi, Angels (41 K / 32 IP); three with 39

National League: Logan Webb, Giants (43 K / 40 1/3 IP); Spencer Strider, Braves (42 K / 35 IP); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (42 K / 31 IP)

Among pitchers who faced at lea 75 batters in June, Grant Holmes of the Braves had the highest strikeouts-per nine inning rate for the month at 13.68.

WALKS + HITS/INNINGS PITCHED (at least 25 May innings)

American League: Jacob deGrom, Rangers (0.72); Clarke Schmidt, Yankees (0.77); Hunter Brown, Astros (0.82)

National League: Matthew Boyd, Cubs (0.79); Michael Soroka, Nationals (0.81); Spencer Schwellenbach, Braves (0.83)

Among pitches with at least 25 June innings, the Nationals’ Michael Soroka held batters to the lowest average at .146.

SAVES

American League:  Josh Hader, Astros (9); six with six

National League:  Trevor Megill, Brewers (8); Tanner Scott, Dodgers (8); Camilio Doval, Giants (7)

Josh Hader of the Astros saved the most games without a blown save in June  (nine).  

If the season ended May 30, the post-season teams would be:

American League

Division Champs: Tigers, Astros, Yankees  Wild Cards: Rays, Blue Jays, Mariners

National League

Division Champs: Dodgers, Phillies, Cubs  Wild Cards: Mets, Brewers, Cardinals

 

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

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