It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

Today, we are looking at some of MLB’s “strikeout artists” – defined, for our purposes, as pitchers who regularly racked up double-digit strikeouts in an outing.  As the chart below shows, there have been only eight pitcher seasons of 20 or more games with 10+ strikeouts and – no surprise – four of them belong to Hall of Famer Randy Johnson.  The Big Unit also shares the record for the most 10+ strikeouts games in a season at 23 – a feat he accomplished in three consecutive seasons 1999-2001. The only other pitcher to record 23 double-digit K games in a season was (another HOFer) Nolan Ryan in 1973.  With today’s methods of “handling” pitchers, the record of 23 double-digit strikeouts games in a season seems pretty safe.

Consider, in 2001, there were 155 double-digit strikeout games by individual pitchers; there were five pitchers with at least eight such games (Randy Johnson – 23; Curt Schilling – 13; Pedro Martinez – 9; Kerry Wood – 8; Matt Morris – 8; and the pitcher with the 10+ Ks pitched at least seven innings in 81.3 percent of those games.  By comparison, in 2024, there were 187 pitcher games with ten or more whiffs; no pitcher had more than six such outings (six for Blake Snell, Garret Crochet and Tyler Glasnow); and the pitcher with the 10+ Ks went at least seven innings in just 40.1 percent of the time

Here’s a few other tidbits that caught my eye as I researched this post:

• Most Strikeouts in any Ten-Game (pitched) Span: Nolan Ryan, Angels – May 19, 1977 – June 29, 1977… 123 in 84 1/3 innings pitched.
• Most Strikeouts in any Twenty-Game Span: Randy Johnson, Diamondbacks – April 13, 2001 – July 24, 2001 … 225 in 141 1/3 innings.
• Most Strikeouts in any Thirty-Game span: Randy Johnson, Diamondbacks – April 13, 2001 – September 17, 2001 AND June 25, 1999 – May 26, 2000 … 328 in 215 1/3 and 239 innings pitched, respectively. The only players besides Johnson to record 300 or more strikeouts in a span of 30 games are: Pedro Martinez (a high of 318), Nolan Ryan (a high of 311), Curt Schilling (a high of 310), Gerrit Cole (301).  Note:  All of these players except Cole have multiple 30-game spans with 300+ whiffs (many of those spans, of course, were overlapping).

Primary Resource: Stathead.com

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

P 1131

 

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

This week’s Tidbit takes a look at Tim Locastro, who played in only 290 MLB games, but holds the MLB record for consecutive successful stolen bases to start an MLB career (29) and shares the mark for the most times hit by a pitch in a game (three).

 

Coincidentally (you know how The Roundtable loves coincidences), the previous record holder for consecutive steals to open an MLB career was Tim Raines, who served two seasons (minor leagues) as Locastro’s baserunning instructor. Raines, who stole 808 MLB career bases (fifth all-time), was successful on his first 27 MLB steal attempts.

Locastro got his first MLB steal in his second MLB game (September 30, 2017). He came into the game for the Dodgers as a pinch runner for 2B Chase Utley in the top of the ninth – with the Dodgers up 5-3 over the Rockies and Utley on second. Locastro swiped third base on a 1-2 pitch to 3B Logan Forsythe. (Locastro did not score – Forsythe struck out and Chris Taylor popped out to end the inning.) The theft of third base would be one of only two third-base steals in Locastro’s career.

Lopresto would go on to steal another 28 bases before his first caught stealing – on April 17, 2021. Locastro was a Diamondback at the time and started the game in CF, batting leadoff.  After fanning in the first inning, he singled off Erick Fedde, with one out an no one on, in the top of the third. On the fourth pitch to RF Kole Calhoun (a 2-1 offering), Locastro attempted to swipe second base and was retired C Yan Gomes to 3B Starlin Castro (I assume a big shift was on) – earning a trip to the dugout and to the disabled list (dislocated finger on the slide.)  During his streak, Locastro swiped five bases as a Dodger and 24 sacks as a Diamondback. He stole bases in seven games in which he started or entered as a CF, five when he stated or entered as a LF, four as a RF, eight as a pinch runner and two as a pinch hitter,

Locastro played in seven MLB seasons (2017-23 … Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Yankees, Mets) and put up a .228-9-39 line, with 100 runs scored and 45 stolen bases in fifty attempts.

In addition to speed on the basepaths, Locastro had a knack for getting hit by pitches. In 2019, he was plunked 22 times in 91 games – the fourth-most HBP in the NL, just five behind league leader Anthony Rizzo of the Cubs (who played in 146 games). On May 24, 2019, as his Diamondbacks topped the Giants 18-2 in San Francisco, Locastro earned a share of the MLB record for HBP in a game (three). He was plunked in the third inning (with one out and runners on first and second) by Drew Pomeranz, the sixth (leading off the inning) by Nick Vincent and in the seventh (with two out and a runner on first) by Derek Holland. He also had a single among his six plate appearances.  Over his MLB career, Locastro was plunked 43 times in 616 plate appearances – one every 14.3 trips to the plate.

In 2023, Tim Locastro, playing for the Mets was hit by a pitch in three of his first four plate appearances of the season.

Locastro was a 13th-round pick in the 2013 MLB draft (out of Ithaca College).  In three college seasons, he went .387-8-67, with 52 steals in 111 games. In 2013, he was the Empire 8 Conference Player of the Year, when he hit .436-4-36 (nice coincidence in those numbers), with 40 steals and 71 runs in 48 games. In 2025, he has taken the field for the Triple-A El Paso Chihuahuas (Padres’ affiliate) in the Pacific Coast League. As I write this, Baseball-Reference shows Locastro with 770 games in 11 minor-league seasons – and a .284-47-296 minor-league stat line with 207 steals.

Primary Resource: Stathead.com

To access past Trivia(l) Tidbits, just tye tidbit into the search box on the right-hand side of the page. 

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT

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

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

P 1130

 

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics. This week’s Tidbits are intended to give you some fodder for trivia challenges at World Series time.  For example:

Question:  Who was the first Yankee to win the World Series Most Valuable Player Award?

Answer:  No, it wasn’t Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig or Joe DiMaggio.  It was Don Larsen in 1956 (a Perfect Game will do that for you).   As for Ruth, Gehrig and DiMaggio, the World Series MVP Award was first presented in 1955.

 

Or

Question: Who was the first position player to win the World Series MVP Award? With the hint that he remains the only player at his position to be a WS MVP. (Side note: Ten of the first eleven WS MVPs were pitchers.)

Answer: Yankees’ 2B Bobby Richardson in 1960, who is – in Roundtable parlance – the World Series MVPs’ greatest unicorn:

• The first position player to be selected WS MVP;
• The first – and still only – player from the losing team selected as the WS MVP;
• The first – and still only – second basemen to earn WS MVP honors.

 

In the Series, which the Yankees lost to the Pirates four games-to-three, Richardson hit .367, and led all players with eight runs scored and 12 RBI (a WS record, since tied). Among his 11 hits were two doubles, two triples and one home run. Side note: In 150 regular-season games, Richardson had just one home run and  26 RBI.

Now, here are a few additional World Series MVP tidbits.  I’ll let you draft your own questions.

• The first player recognized as WS MVP was Dodger southpaw Johnny Podres (1955 World Series). Podres helped the Dodgers topple the rival (and dreaded) Yankees four games-to-three – pitching a Game-Three, complete game, seven-hitter (three runs, two earned) in an 8-3 win and an  eight-hit shutout in a 2-0 win in Game Seven. Side Note: At this point, the Dodgers had faced the Yankees in five World Series (1941-47-49-52-53) and had lost all five, Podres was, indeed, a conquering hero in Brooklyn. (During the season, Podres had gone 9-10, 3.95.)
• In 1981, three players – an infielder, an outfielder and a catcher – shared the World Series MVP Award: Dodgers’ catcher Steve Yeager; 3B Ron Cey; and OF Pedro Guerrero. Yeager had gone .286-2-4; Cey, .350-1-6; and Guerrero, .333-2-7. Together they had driven in 17 of the Dodgers’ 26 runs and hit five of LA’s six homers. Note: As the Dodgers topped the Yankees four-games to two, Guerrero started four games in center field and two in RF, also in three of the games played both CF and RF.  The only other time the WS MP Award was shared was 2001, when Diamondbacks pitchers Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling were honored.

• The WS MVP Award has been presented in 69 seasons. In 28 of those seasons, pitchers have taken home World Series MVP hardware – the most for any position. The list includes 27 different pitchers (seven Hall of famers). Of those, 23 were primarily starters and four primarily were relievers. Side note: Third basemen are next on the list of most WS MVPs at ten. This does not include the Blue Jays’ Paul Molitor, MVP of the 1993 World Series, who started three games at DH, two at 3B and one at 1B.
• Three rookies have been selected as WS MVP: Dodgers’ reliever Larry Sherry in 1959; Marlins’ SP Livan Hernandez in 1997; Astros’ SS Jeremy Pena in 2022). Side note: Hernandez, who went 9-3, 3.18 in 17 1997 regular-season starts, was a bit of surprise WS MVP. While Hernandez started and won two games in the Series (won by the Marlins over the Indians four games-to-three), he put up a 5.27 ERA over 14 2/3 innings. In Game One, he went 5 2/3 innings, giving up eight hits and three runs, as the Marlins topped the Indians (and Orel Hershiser) 7-4. In Game five, matched again against Hershiser, he went eight innings and gave up six runs (five earned) – on seven hits and eight walks in an 8-7 win. (It was a high-scoring series. The two teams put up 81 runs over seven games.  There were those who made an MVP case for Marlins’ LF Moises Alou, who hit .321-3-9 in the Series, leading the Marlins in home runs and RBI and scoring the second most runs on the team (6).    
• Four players have won multiple WS MVP Awards: Sandy Koufax (Dodgers 1963, 1965); Bob Gibson, Cardinals (1964, 1967); Reggie Jackson (1973 Athletics, 1977 Yankees); Corey Seager (2020 Dodgers, 2023 Rangers).
• The youngest player to win a World Series MVP Award was 21-year-old Royals’ RHP Brett Saberhagen – as the Royals bested the Blue Jays four games-to-three in 1985. Saberhagen, the 1985 AL Cy Young Award winner, pitched a pair of complete games (Games Three and Seven – and gave up just one run over 18 innings.  Saberhagen was in his second MLB season.
• The oldest WS MVP was 39-year-old Pirates’ 1B Willie Stargell, who hit .400-3-7, as the Pirates topped the Orioles four games-to-three in 1979.  He was in his eighteenth MLB season.
• A couple of interesting (to The Roundtable) runs: From 1955-68, pitchers were selected WS MVP in 12 of 14 seasons. Then, from 1969-84, position players were selected in fifteen of sixteen seasons.

Primary Resources: Stathead.com

 

To access past Trivia(l) Tidbits, just tye tidbit into the search box on the right-hand side of the page. 

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT

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

P 1129

It’s August 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 July’s highlights that you will find in this post:

• Clayton Kershaw‘s 3,000th strikeout;
• Aroldis Chapman‘s 350th save and the 350th home runs of Aaron Judge and Bryce Harper;
• The Red Sox‘ 10,000th franchise win;
• Kyle Schwarber‘s 1,000th MLB hit and Mike Trout‘s 1,000th RBI;
• Manny Machado’s 2000th hit;
• A lead-off (Lawrence Butler) and walk-off (Patrick Bailey) inside-the-park home run on the  same day;
• A rookie (Brandon Young)  tossing an Immaculate Inning;
• A rookie (Nick Kurtz) delivering a four-homer game;
• Byron Buxton’s “Byron Buxton Bobblehead Day” cycle;
• and much more.

For all of the “stories,” see the “Highlights” section.

–—Players and Pitchers of the Month – July 2025—-

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Player of the Month – Kyle Schwarber, LF Phillies

It was a big month for Kyle Schwarber, not only was he the All Star Game MVP, but (despite a .264 July average) he also led MLB in July home runs (12) and RBI (29) and scored 17 runs. Over the course of the month, Schwarber had nine multi-RBI games. Of his 24 July hits, 18 went for extra basses (six doubles, 12 home runs.)

Honorable Mention(s); Marlins’ LF Kyle Stowers had a stellar month (.364-10-20).  His .364 July average was fifth in the NL among hitters with at least 50 at bats; his ten home runs tied for second; his 20 RBI were fifth; and his 16 runs scored tied for eighth.  Giants’ SS Willy Adames also had a solid month at .337-7-21 – finishing in the NL’s top five in home runs, RBI, runs scored (tied for the league lead) and hits.

Pitcher of the Month – Eury Perez, RHP, Marlins

Eury Perez went 3-1, with 1.29 ERA in five July starts. The 22-year-old’s  0.64 WHIP was the best among all MLB pitchers with at least 25 July innings, as was his .135 average against.   Perez fanned 32 batters in 28 innings and walked just five.  He gave up just one home run in his 28 July innings.

Honorable Mentions: Nick Lodolo, who went 3-1 in five starts, put up a 1.89 earned run average and fanned an MLB- best (tied) 38 batters (with just four walks) in 33 1/3 innings. Lodolo’s month included a four-hit shutout (July 23 versus the Nationals) in which he walked none and fanned eight. Paul Skenes of the Pirates gets an honorable mention for putting up the NL’s lowest earned run average among pitchers with at least 25 July innings. He went 2-1, 0.67 in five starts. He also fanned 36 batters, while walking just three. Phillies’ southpaw Christopher Sanchez also went 3-1 in five July starts, pitched a complete game (a 4-1 win over Boston – four hits with 12 whiffs), put up a 1.95 ERA and fanned 36 batters (37 innings) with five walks.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Player of the Month  – Nick Kurtz, 1B, Athletics

No contest here. Nick  Kurtz’ .395  July average was second among  MLB players with at least 50 July at bats. He led the AL with 11 July homers (tied) and 27 RBI (all alone); his 24 runs scored tied for second in the league; his 34 July hits trailed only Bo Bichette (35) in MLB;  and his 25 extra-base hits led MLB by a wide margin.  Kurtz’ .953 slugging percentage was tops among MLB players with at least 50 July at bats. The 22-year-old rookie’s month also included a (July 15) six-for-six, four -homer, eight-RBI game in which he tied the MLB records for both homers (four)  and total bases in a game (19) and became the 20^th player and first rookie to collect four homes in a contest.  Not bad for a young man who was playing college ball (Wake Forest) in 2024. What does he do for an encore?

Honorable Mention: Royal’s C Salvador Perez put up a .337-9-21 line in July. His nine homers were third in the AL and his 21 RBI tied for third. Perez collected 30 hits in 24 games (16 for extra bases). Astros’ LF Jose Altuve went .363-5-21, with 20 runs scored and Yankees’ LF Cody Bellinger had a .323-8-20 line, with 21 runs scored.

Pitcher of the Month – Nathan Eovaldi, RHP, Rangers

Nathan Eovaldi, like Nick Kurtz, was a no-brainer.   Eovaldi went 5-0, 0.59 in five July starts.  He was the only pitcher to win five games during the month and his 0.59 ERA was the lowest among MLB pitchers with at least 20 July innings. In fact, he gave up just three runs (two earned) over 30 2/3 innings.   Eovaldi fanned 30, walked eight, put up a 0.85 WHIP and held hitters to a .198 average.

Honorable Mention: Garrett Crochet of the Red Sox went 4-0, with a 1.73 ERA in four starts – fanning 31 and walking just six in 26 innings.  His July included his first MLB shutout, which was also his first MLB complete game.  And, he needed every pitch. It was a 1-0, three-hit, no-walk, nine-whiff victory over the Division rival Rays.

Surprise of the M0nth – Kyle Stowers, LF, Marlins

Clearly, Eury Perez and Nick Kurtz would qualify here – if they hadn’t already grabbed Player and Pitcher of the Month honors.

Marlins’ OF Kyle Stowers (a second-round draft choice – Orioles –  in 2019) came into the 2025 season with a .208-6-35 MLB stat line  (over 117 games in three seasons). He also could look back on a .260-91-299 line in five minor-league seasons and a .279-20-85 stat line over 132 college games. Through June of this season, he was at .279-13-43.  But his bat got hot, surprisingly hot, in July – to the tune of a .364-10-20 month that included six multi-hit games, two multi-homer games and three multi-RBI games.  He bookended the All Star break with a five-hit, three-homer, six-RBI game immediately before the break and a three-hit, two-homer, five-RBI game immediately after the break.  Now, that’s surprising performance.

Honorable Mention: The surprising Royals’ surprising rookie southpaw Noah Cameron was a seventh-round pick in the 2021 Draft (out of the University of Central Arkansas). He made his MLB debut on April 30 and went 6 1/3 scoreless innings (one hit, five walks, three strikeouts). Coming into July, he was 2-4, but with a respectable 2.79 ERA.  He had fanned 38 batters (18 walks) in 51 2/3 innings (a 2.1 K/BB ratio).  Cameron turned it up a notch in July … 3-0, 1.84, with 33 strikeouts and just five walks in 29 1/3 innings (a 6.6 K/BB ratio).

____________________________________________________

THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE

Through July 31,  34.4% of the MLB season’s 123,109  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 (3.0%); HBP (1.1%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). 

The 34.4% is down slightly  from the 34.6% through July of 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.

_____________________________

 

——-Team Statistical Leaders for July 2025 ———-

RUNS SCORED

National League – Brewers (120); Cubs (117); Braves (116)

American League – Blue Jays (150); Rangers (138); Yankees (138)

The fewest runs in July were scored by the Pirates (65). In the American League, it was the Twins at 95.  NL teams held the bottom six spots in terms of July runs.

AVERAGE

National League – Brewers (.265); Padres (.264); Phillies (.254); Rockies (.254); Cubs (.254)

American League – Blue Jays (.291); Red Sox (.265); Astros (.265)

The lowest team average for July belonged to the Pirates at .214.

HOME RUNS

National League – Phillies (37); Cubs (34); Braves (33)

American League – Athletics (46); Yankees (46); Mariners (44)

The Pirates had the fewest home runs in July at 11.  

TOTAL BASES

National League – Braves (364); Phillies (359); Cubs (354)

American League – Blue Jays (429): Athletics (413); Yankees (401)

The Athletics led MLB in July Slugging Percentage at .498.  The Phillies led the NL (.452).

DOUBLES

National League – Cardinals (50); Braves (47); Diamondbacks (42); Padres (42)

American League – Red Sox (63); Blue Jays (56); Athletics (52); Orioles (52)

TRIPLES

National League – Diamondbacks (8); Giants (5); Braves (5); Marlins (5); Nationals (5)

American League – Red Sox (7); Athletics (5); Twins (4); Rangers (4)

The Cardinals and Dodgers had zero triples in June.

STOLEN BASES

National League – Mets (23); Brewers (22); Cubs (21); Nationals (21)

American League – Rays (34); Mariners (27); Rangers (24)

The Giants stole the fewest sacks in July – four in four attempts.  The Astros stole the fewest July bags in the AL – nine in thirteen attempts.  

WALKS DRAWN

National League – Braves (97); Reds (88); Cubs (84)

American League – Angels (98); Blue Jays (94); Guardians (93)

The Blue Jays led MLB in July on-base percentage at .363. The Padres led the NL at .332. The Pirates had MLB’s lowest July OBP (.274).  The Tigers anchored the AL at .300.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Dodgers (226); Braves (223); Nationals (213)

American League – Angels (246); Athletics (238); Mariners (234)

Royals’ batters fanned the fewest times in July (162). The Marlins fanned the fewest times in the NL at 170.

__________________________________________________

EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League – Marlins (2.60); Brewers (3.13); Padres (3.19)

American League – Red Sox (2.86); Rangers (3.08); Guardians (3.50)

The Rockies had the highest July ERA at 6.17.  Four other teams had July ERAs of 5.00 or higher: Cardinals (5.00); Nationals (5.57); Yankees (5.65); Braves (5.80). The five teams with ERAs of 5.00 or higher went a combined 46-76.

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Reds (227); Braves (220); Brewers (219)

American League – Mariners (239);  Blue Jays (238); Astros (234)

The Reds averaged an MLB-best 9.51 strikeouts per nine innings in July. The Blue Jays averaged an AL-best 9.44.   

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED

National League – Cardinals (52); Cubs (54); Marlins (55)

American League – Twins (59); Athletics (64); Red Sox (65)

The Marlins walked an MLB-lowest 2.24 batters per nine innings in July.  The Braves walked an MLB-worst 4.03 batters per nine frames.

SAVES

National League – Mets (11); Marlins (9); Brewers (8); Padres (8)

American League – Red Sox (8); Astros (8); four with seven

The Rays blew the most saves in July– nine blown saves in 14 save opportunities.

Walks + Hits/Innings Pitched (WHIP)

National League – Marlins (1.04); Brewers (1.08); Pirates (1.16)

American League:  Guardians (1.12); Athletics (1.12); Red Sox (1.18)

_________________________________________

Bonus Stats:

• The Yankees gave up an MLB-high 41 home runs in July. The Mariners gave up an MLB-low 19 home runs.
• Brewers’ pitchers held opponents to an MLB-low .207 average in July. The Rockies’ staff was “rocked” for an MLB-high .313 average.
• The Marlins’ strikeouts-to-walks ratio for July topped MLB at 3.69. The Rockies had MLB’s worst ratio at 1.81.

—- July Highlights —-

30 For Ohtani

On July,1, as the Dodgers topped the White Sox in LA, Dodgers’ DH Shohei Ohtani hit a fourth- inning solo home run.  It made Ohani the first National Leaguer to reach 30 home runs this season – and guaranteed him his fifth straight season of 30+ dingers. (It was also the third time he banged out 30+ homer by the All Star break.) Ohtani’s next target? Perhaps surpassing his career-high 54 home runs (set last season).

3,000 for Clayton

On July 2, the Dodgers topped the White Sox 5-4 in LA – a much-expected win. The 53,536 fans in attendance, however, were anticipating more than a Dodger victory.  Dodger Clayton Kershaw – a three-time Cy Young Award winner in his 18th MLB season – came into the game with 2,997 career strikeouts and the crowd was amped to see number 3,000.

It came as Kershaw recorded the final out in the sixth inning and the victim was White Sox’ 3B Vinny Capra (the final batter Kershaw faced in the game).  Kershaw, by the way, gave up nine hits and four runs over his six frames and got a no-decision.

A few things caught my eye: First, Kershaw became just the 20th MLB pitcher to reach the 3,000+ strikeout mark; the fifth MLB pitcher to record 3,000 strikeouts for one team during his career; and just the third pitcher to record 3,000 or more strikeouts for one team and have those be the only strikeouts of his MLB career.  (I’m betting he will retire a Dodger.)

Long awaited Save

On July 2, Aroldis Chapman picked up a long-awaited (well, 24 hours or so) save. The Reds/Red Sox tilt (at Fenway) that started on July 1 had been suspended (weather) and was resumed (top of the fourth) July 2. The Red Sox ultimately prevailed 5-3 and Chapman pitched a 1-2-3 ninth inning (one strikeout) for his 15^th save of 2025 and his 350^th career save.  The 37-year-old Chapman ended June with 19  saves and a 1.29 ERA on the season.

Plenty of Fireworks in Chicago

On July 4, the fireworks started early in Chicago – a 1:20 start versus the Cardinals at Wrigley. The Cubs pounded out an 11-3 win and in the process:

• The Cubbies hit a franchise record eight home runs (including a franchise record six by the third inning);
• DH Seiya Suzuki and CF Pete Crow-Armstrong hit solo shots in the first;
• 1B Michael Busch and C Carson Kelly added solo homers in the second;
• Crow-Armstrong added a second solo shot in the third, followed later that inning by a two-run homer by Busch (also his second of the game);
• SS Dansby Swanson hit a two-run shot in the seventh, followed by Busch’s third long ball of the game.

A Stick and Four Circles

On July 5, the Red Sox banged out 11 hits in a 10-3 win over the Nationals at Nationals Park.  Those ten tallies were appropriate, as the victory marked the Red Sox franchise’s 10,000th win. The only other franchises to reach 10,000 wins (Modern Era) are the Dodgers, Yankees, Giants and Cardinals.

A Shohei Kind of Coincidence

On July 5, the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani celebrated his 31^st birthday by starting on the mound for the Dodgers. Building up his arm strength after elbow surgery (Ohtani did not pitch in 2024), Ohtani (coincidentally) threw 31 pitches (21 strikes) on his 31^st birthday, giving up one hit and fanning three (striking out the side in the second frame) over two innings.  (As usual, more on Shohei coming up later in the highlights).

2,000 for Manny

On July 7, as the Padres lost to the Diamondbacks 6-3, Padres’ veteran 3B Manny Machado collected three hits (including a solo home run).   The second of those hits – a fourth inning single off Zac Gallen – was Machado’s 2,000 career base knock.

July 8 Declared Inside-The-Park Day

On July 8, as the Athletics topped the Braves 10-1 in Sacramento, A’s RF and leadoff hitter  Lawrence Butler went two-for-four, with three runs, two RBI and two homers.  For this Highlights section, we are most interested in home run number-one – an inside-the-parker off Braves’ P Didier Fuentes’ first pitch. It was Butler’s 12^th homer of the season and first career inside-the-parker.

Now, Butler’s dash around the bases didn’t qualify as a highlight until a bit later in the day, when Giants’ C Patrick Bailey hit a walk-off, three run, inside-the-park homer in the bottom of the ninth to send his Giants past the Phillies 4-3.  It was Bailey’s second home run of 2025 and, like Butler, his first career inside-the-parker.

Why the highlights?  July 8 marked the first time in the Modern Era (post-1900) that MLB saw a lead-off and a walk-off inside-the-park homer on the same day (Elia Sports Bureau). I was also intrigued by the fact that the two dashes around the bases came from the bookends of the lineup – Butler hitting leadoff and Bailey hitting in the nine-hole.

An Immaculate Inning – For a Rookie

On July 8, Orioles rookie righty Brandon Young, making just his fifth MLB start, came into the bottom of the fifth inning with his Orioles leading the Mets 1-0. In that frame, Young pitched the 2025 season’s second Immaculate Inning– fanning Mets’ DH Jesse Winker, CF Jeff McNeil and C  Luis Torrens on a total of nine pitches. Things went a little south the following inning, as the Mets’ knocked Young off the mound with a homer, two doubles and a fly out by the first four batters. The Orioles eventually lost 7-6 and Young got a no-decision.

In the Year 2525

On July 10, Cubs’ 23-year-old outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong popped a pair of home runs as Chicago topped Minnesota 8-1 at Target Field.  The blasts were Crow-Armstrong’s 24^th and 25^th of the season and – coupled with his 27 stolen bases – made him the fastest Cub and fourth-fastest MLB player ever (a nod to MLB.com’s Sarah Langs here) to reach 25 or more home runs and 25 or more stolen bases in a season.  Crow-Armstrong reached the mark in 92 games played. The players quicker to the 25-25 mark were Eric Davis (69 games in 1987); Alfonso Soriano (91 games in 2002); and Bobby Bonds (91 games in 1973).

Thanks For the Visit.  It was really Good to See You Again.

On July 11, as the Cubs visited the Yankees, Yankee CF Cody Bellinger was facing the Cubbies for the first time since they traded him to New York last December. He said hello to his former teammates with his bat – going three-for-five, with three home runs and six RBI – in an 11-0 Yankee win. Bellinger came inches away from an MLB record-tying four-home run game.  It took a seventh-inning leaping highlight-reel catch (glove extended a couple of feet of above the outfield wall), by Cubs’ CF Pete Crow-Armstrong to deny Bellinger a share of the record.  The three long balls gave Bellinger 16 on the season.

A bit of #InBaseballWeCount Everything: The three-dinger outburst made Bellinger to the first player to launch three home runs in his first game against his former team.

The Cubs got a very small bit of revenge two games later (July 13), as they held Bellinger hitless in a 4-1 win over the Yankees. The Oh-For ended a 17-game Bellinger hitting streak, during which he went .397-6-16, with 17 runs scored.

Raleigh Continues to Punish Baseballs

On July 11, as Seattle trounced the Tigers 12-3, Mariners’ Catcher Cal Raleigh went two-for-five, with two home runs and five RBI.  They were his MLB-leading 37^th and 38^th homers of the season. As a highlight, that 38^th home run gave Raleigh the AL Record for the most home runs before the All Star Break (now in second place is Chris Davis with 37 in 2013). The 38 pre-All Star break Raleigh home runs trail only Barry Bonds’ 39 pre-break homers for the Giants in 2001. As 0f the break, Raleigh was .259-38-82, leading MLB in home runs and RBI.

Raleigh’s home run total over the past few seasons: 2022 – 27; 2023 – 30; 2024 – 34; and, of course, his already career-high output this year (42 at the end of June).   He is certainly moving in the right direction.

Here Comes the Judge 

On July 12, as the Yankees dropped a 5-2 decision to the Cubs, Aaron Judge slammed his 35th home run of the season – the 350^th of his career – coming in his 1,088th MLB game. Although in a losing cause, the blast got Judge to 350 long balls faster than any player in MLB history. (Number-two is Mark McGwire at 1,280.)

Well Done, Lord Byron

On July 12, fans lined up early at Target Field for a chance at that game’s give-away – a Byron Buxton Bobblehead. Their timing – and Buxton’s – was spot on. In the contest, a 12-4 Twins’ win over the Pirates, Buston delivered a five-for-five performance – and the second cycle (single, double, triple, home run in the same game) of the 2025 season. The Cubs’ Carson Kelly hit for the cycle in a March 31 18-3 win over the Athletics.

Buxton’s day went like this:

First Inning – Leadoff infield single off Mike Burrows;

Second Inning -Triple (with one out and no one on) to deep center off Burrows;

Third Inning– Ground rule RBI double (with two on and no outs) off Genesis Cabrera;

Fifth Inning – Single (one out, none on) single off Yohan Ramirez;

Seventh Inning – Home run (two outs, none on) to center on an 0-2 pitch from Andrew Heaney.

Buxton’s line: Five-for-five, three runs, two RBI and a cycle plus an extra single.

For those who like to know such things: It was the first cycle ever at Target field (opened in 2010).

A Today’s Game Highlight

It’s a sign of the times that one-pitcher shutouts are now always Highlights.  On July 12, Red Sox’ southpaw Garret Crochet threw his first MLB shutout – in a 1-0 Fenway win over the Rays (and also the key to the Red Sox’ ninth straight victory).  The shutout was also Crochet’s first-ever complete game and came in his 52^nd MLB start.  It ran his 2025 record to 10-4, 2.23.

Crochet gave up just three hits (singles), didn’t issue a walk and fanned nine. He threw an even 100 pitches (72 strikes).

More Sho(w)-Time

On July 12, Dodgers’ righty Shohei Ohtani – coming back from an elbow injury that kept in off the mound in 2024 – made his fifth mound start of the 2025 season. This time, he stretched out to three-innings and 36 pitches (25 strikes). He gave up just one-hit and one walk and no runs while fanning four in a 2-1 Dodgers’ win over the Giants in San Francisco. Of course, in 2024, while protecting that elbow, he didn’t really rest on past laurels.  Last season, as a DH, he hit .310, with 54 homers, 130 RBI and 59 stolen bases (MLB’s first 50-50 player) and won his third MVP Award.  Going forward, he may need a bigger trophy shelf.

It’s an International Game

On July 12, for the first-time ever in MLB, four Japanese-born pitchers were on the mound as starters. The Nationals’ Shinnosuke Ogasawara; Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani; Angels’ Yusei Kikuchi; and Padres’ Yu Darvish.  Ogasawara gave up three runs in four innings (no-decision); Ohtani pitched three scoreless innings (no-decision); Kikuchi gave up three runs in 5 2/3 frames (win); Darvish gave up four runs in 4 /2.3 innings (no-decision).

Lucky Number 13

On July 13, the Reds, managed by Terry Francona, topped the Rockies 4-2 in Cincinnati. The victory marked Terry Francona 2,000th managerial win – making him just the 13^th MLB manager with at least 2,000 victories. 921 of his wins came while leading the Indians/Guardians; 744 with the Red Sox; 285 with the Phillies; and 50 with the Reds.

I’m B-a-a-ack!

On July 30, of last season, the Orioles sent OF Kyle Stowers and INF Connor Norby to the Marlins for P Trevor Rogers.  In limited action over three seasons (2022-24) with the Birds, Stowers had hit .229, with four home runs and 24 RBI.  Stowers didn’t get a chance to play again in Camden Yards (nor against the O’s) until July 12 of this season – as his Marlins visited Baltimore.  In just the second game against his old squad (on July 13), in his former home, Stowers had the game of his career. As the Marlins pounded the Orioles 11-1, Stowers went five-for-five, with three home runs and six RBI (sending him into the All Star break with a .293-19-54 line on the season). It was his first career multi-homer game, first career five-hit game. Oh yes, and let’s not forget, he was on his way to the All Star Game.

Break? What Break? I’m on roll.

On July 18, the Marlins’ Kyle Stowers – who hit three home runs on the last game before the All Star break (see above) – celebrated the first game after the break with three hits (including two home runs) and five RBI, as the Marlins topped the Royals 8-7 in ten innings. The second of his long balls was a walk-off, two-run shot in the bottom of the tenth inning.  His five long balls in the two games were a Marlins’ franchise record and his 11 RBI tied Gary Sheffield’s 11 in two consecutive games in 1995.

I’m Here!

On July 12, MLB announced that Brewers’ 23-year-old rookie right-hander Jacob Misiorowski was selected to the NL All Star squad (a replacement for Cub’s southpaw Matthew Boyd). That made “The Miz” the All Star with the fewest MLB games played ever (just five).  While Misiorowski may have had just five starts, they were of All Star quality – 4-1, 2.81 with 33 strikeouts (11 walks) in 25 2/3 innings (and lots of triple-digit heat.)

Side note: Speed on Miz’ first two MLB pitches: 100.5 mph; 101.8 mph.

In his first start (five innings), he threw 14 triple-digit heaters; in his second start, he threw 29 triple-digit pitches over six-plus frames (he faced two batters in the seventh); he didn’t give up a hit over his first 11 MLB innings.

Misiorowski pitched the eighth inning of the All Star Game, facing four batters (one single and three flyouts, with no runs).  He threw 18 pitches, nine of them at 100MPH+, the fastest at 103.3 MPH.

The All Star Break – Not Always a good Thing

On July 14, as MLB went into the All Star break, the Red Sox were red hot, with an active a ten-game winning streak. On July 18, in their first game after the break, the winning streak came to an end with a 4-1 loss to the Cubs.  Why is that a highlight? The Red Sox were just the fourth team to go into the All Star break on a double-digit winning streak – joining the 1935 Tigers (10 games), 1975 Reds (10 games) and 2022 Mariners (14 games). Each of those team lost their first contest coming out of the break.

Rich Hill Takes the Hill for a Record-Tying 14^th MLB Team

On July 22, 45-year-old southpaw Rich Hill took the mound for the Royals (versus the Cubs) in Chicago. – going six innings and giving up three runs (one earned).  Notably, it was his first start since 2023 and it came at Wrigley Field, where he made his MLB debut wa-a-a-ay back on June 15, 2005. (Hill did make four relief appearances for the Red Sox in 2024.) Even more notably, it tied him (with Edwin Jackson) for the most franchises played for at the major-league level at 14. Over his career, Hill has taken the hill for the Cubs (2005-08); Orioles (2009); Red Sox (2010-12, 2005, 2022, 2024); Indians (2013); Angels (2014); Yankees (2014); A’s (2016); Dodgers (2016-19); Twins (2020); Rays (2021); Mets (2021) Pirates (2023); Padres (2023); Royals (2025).

Hill’s career record is 90-76, 4.02 in 388 games (250 starts). He has the most wins as a Dodger (30-16 over four seasons) and his best season was 2016, when he appropriately, pitched for two teams and in both leagues. That season he was 9-3, 2.25 for the A’s and 3-2, 1.83 for the Dodgers – a combined 12-5, 2.12 in 20 starts. Hill was Designated For Assignment by the Royals  July 29. Could a 15th franchise be in his future?

350 for Harper

On July 23, as the Phillies lost to the Red Sox 9-8 in eleven innings, Bryce Harper popped a solo home run to RF in the bottom of the first inning.  It followed a two-run shot by Kyle Schwarber and gave the Phillies an early 3-0 lead. While the lead didn’t hold up, Harper’s home run was notable.  It was the 350^th roundtripper of the 32-year-old Harper’s 14-season MLB career,

Ohtani Hits His Way into the Dodger Record Books

On July 23, as the Dodgers topped the Twins 4-3 in LA, Shohei Ohtani went one-for-four with a home run and two RBI. Now, an Ohtani home run is not a surprise (it was his 37^th of the season).  However, this smash marked the fifth straight game (July 19-23) in which Ohani went yard – tying the Dodgers’ franchise record for consecutive games with a home run.  (Over the span of five games, Ohtani was .286-5-10 and the Dodgers went 2-3.) Other Dodgers to homer in five straight: Roy Campanella; Shawn Green; Matt Kemp; Adrian Gonzalez; Joc Pederson; Max Muncy. I was surprised that Duke Snider’s name wasn’t in the mix.

A Sign of The Times – Again

It’s a sign of the times that a shutout always seems worthy of the Highlights section.  On July 25, Reds’ southpaw Nick Lodolo, in his third MLB season and 21st MLB start, threw his first MLB shutout in a 5-0 Reds’ win over the Nationals in Washington.  Lodolo gave up four hits and no walks, while fanning eight in the 105-pitch outing. It was his second complete game of the season and his MLB career.  It ran his 2025 record to 8-6, 3.08.

I LIKE IT!

Okay, I’m not a big fan of MLB rules changes – although I’ve learned to live with all of them except the placed runner in extra innings.  I do need to say here that I am still not fond of the softball-style “wave-em-to-first” intentional walk, shift restrictions (learn to go the other way, boys), requirements that a reliever finish an inning or face at least three batters and restrictions on mound disengagements. However, I do like the ball/strike challenge rules (as we saw it in the All Star Game) and the deciding of All Star contests tied after nine innings with a mini–Home Run Derby. (Certainly, it helps managers plan how to get their players into the game and also should prevent team from running out of pitchers.)   

 

Hey. Look At the New Guy Go!

On July 25, the Athletics’ 23-year-old rookie Nick Kurtz (at DH, batting second) powered up for the second four-homer game of 2025 (The Diamondbacks’ Eugenio Suarez had a four-homer contest in April).  While it was MLB’s 20^th four-homer game, Kurtz earned unicorn status as the first MLB rookie to bash four dingers in a single game. Kurtz’ offensive explosion came in a 15-3 Athletics’ win in Houston. In addition to the four dingers, Kurtz had a double and a single for 19 total bases – tying the Dodgers’ Shawn Green (May 23, 2002) for the most total bases in a single game.  Notably, Kurtz came into the ninth inning with three long balls – and scheduled to bat sixth. Luckily, the A’s extended the inning (fly ball out, single, double, groundout, single) to bring Kurtz to the plate in the top of the final inning with two on and two out – and he delivered his fourth home run of the game, as well as his sixth, seventh and eighth RBI.  Kurtz finished the day at .305-23-59 in 66 games.

His day went like this:

First Inning – Single (off Ryan Gusto) with one out and no one on;

Second Inning – Two-out, two-run home run (Gusto);

Fourth Inning – One-out, RBI-double (Gusto);

Sixth Inning – One-out, solo homer (Off Nick Hernandez);

Eighth Inning – One-out, solo home run (off Kaleb Ort);

Ninth Inning – Two-out, three-run homer run (off Cooper Hummel).

They Call Him the Streak

From July 10 through July 25, Nick Kurtz enjoyed a 12-game hitting streak, during which he hit .553 (25-for-47), with nine home runs, one triple, ten doubles, 20 RBI and 18 runs scored.

Kurtz made it to the big leagues in a hurry. He was drafted by the Athletics in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft (fourth overall) – after going .333-61-182 in three season at Wake Forest (164 games). In 33 minor-league games, he hit .344-12-40.

A Nice Round Number – And Growing

On July 25, as the Phillies trounced the Yankees 12-5 in New York, Kyle Schwarber went three-for-five, with three runs scored and four RBI. His first hit of the night, coming in the fifth innings,  was his 1,000^th career safety and – in true Schwarber fashion – was a (two-run) home run. It was his 35^th dinger of the season.

More Bobblehead Night Timing

On July 25, the Angels held a bobblehead night, featuring shortstop Zach Neto. The 24-year-old leadoff hitter responded well, hitting a two-run, game-winning, walk-off single in the bottom of tenth to give the Angels as 3-2 win over the Mariners.

1,000 and Counting

On July 27, as his Angels topped the Mariners 4-1 in LA, Angels’ DH Mike Trout popped a two-run home run – picking up career RBIs 1,000 and 1,001. It came in the three-time MVP’s 15th MLB season and 1,598^th MLB game.

Man, #InBaseballWeCounctEverything

In the Braves’ July 28 10-7 win over the Royals (in KC), Braves’ RF Ronald Acuna, Jr. hit is 14^th home run of the season – a 469-footer. Yes, we not only count everything, we now also seem to track everything.  But getting back to that tracking, reports on the game noted that Acuna has hit the most home runs of 450-feet or more since 2018 – 26 – outpacing Shohei Ohtani (22) and Aaron Judge (22), the only other players with more than 20 450-footers in that time span. If I’m right, they all count the same no matter the distance, don’t they?

Traded? A Little Birdie Told Me. Still, I can Walk, Not Fly, to My New Team.

On July 29, the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays were facing each other in a doubleheader in Camden Yards. The Orioles prevailed in Game One by a 16-4 score. In between games, the Orioles and Blue Jays completed a trade – Orioles’ reliever Seranthony Dominguez to Toronto for Blue Jays’ pitching prospect Juaron Watts-Brown and cash. Dominguez didn’t have to wait long – after changing locker rooms and uniforms – to face his old team.   In the second game of the twin bill, Dominguez pitched a scoreless seventh inning, in a 3-2 Blue Jays loss. In his first game as a Blue Jay, he struck out his “first-game-of-the-doubleheader” teammates PH Colton Cowser to open the inning and 2B Jackson Holliday to close the frame.

In the kind of coincidence Baseball Roundtable likes, it so happens that the Orioles’ minor-league affiliate Chesapeake Baysox was playing the Blue Jays-affiliate New Hampshire Fisher Cats. So, Watts-Brown also found himself making a very short trip to his new club. (Props to Keegan Matheson, MLB.coom, for this highlight.)

Bonus HIghlight: For those who like a little bit of history.  On Memorial Day May 30, 1922, the Cardinals and Cubs famously swapped outfielders between games of a doubleheader.  (The two squads were facing off in Chicago.)  The Cubs won Game One 4-2 – and batting fifth in their lineup (collecting one RBI, despite going 0-for-4) was RF Max Flack.  The CF for the Cardinals that game (batting seventh) was Cliff Heathcote – who went 0-for-3. Flack was in his ninth season for the Cubs, while Heathcote was in his fifth season for the Cardinals.

In between games of the twin bill, Flack and Heathcote were traded for each other. The two outfielders each crossed over to their new team’s clubhouse and suited up against their previous team for Game Two – becoming the first two players to take the field for two major-league teams in a single day.  Both collected hits for their new teams in the second game (Flack a single in four at bats, Heathcote a pair of singles in four trips to the plate). It’s remains the only time two players were traded between games of a doubleheader and each played for their new club in game two.

Century Club for Eovaldi

On July 30, Nathan Eovaldi picked up his fifth July win, going seven innings (six hits, one run, two walks, four strikeouts) in a 6-3 victory over the Angels in Anaheim. It ran his record for 2025 to 9-3, 1.49 and, just as important for highlight purposes, marked his 100^th MLB victory.  The 35-year-old righty is in his 14^th MLB season (Dodgers, Marlins, Rays, Red Sox, Rangers) and has a career mark of 100-84-3.91. Thirty-three of his 100 wins have come in the past 2 ½ season with the Rangers.

Statistics, Sweet Statistics

American novelist Pat Conroy once observed, “Baseball fans love numbers.  They love to swirl them around in their mouths like Bordeaux wine.”  True, but can you be overserved? I saw this report as July came to a close. On July 31, Mariners C Cal Raleigh hit his 42nd home run of the season as Seattle topped Texas 6-0 in Seattle. The statistic that emerged? It gave Raleigh the record for most home runs in a season by a switch-hitting catcher – topping the Mets’ Todd Hundley’s 41 in 1996.

 

—INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS FOR JULY—

BATTING AVERAGE (at least 75 at bats)

American League: Nick Kurtz, Athletics (.395); George Springer, Blue Jays (.371); Jose Altuve, Astros (.363)

National League:  Jackson Chourio, Brewers (.367); Kyle Stowers, Marlins (.364); J.T. Realmuto, Phillies (.354)

The lowest July average among players with at least 75 at bats belonged to Mets’ 1B Pete Alonso at .141 (12-for-85).

HITS

American League: Bo Bichette, Blue Jays (35); Nick Kurtz, Athletics (34); Jose Altuve, Astros (33); George Springer, Blue Jays (33)

National League: Jackson Chourio, Brewers (33); Xavier Edwards, Marlins (33); Manny Machado, Padres (33)

The Athletics Nick Kurtz led all MLBers in July extra-base hits with 25 – 13 doubles, one triple and 11 home runs.  

HOME RUNS

American League: NIck, Kurtz, Mariners (11); Randy Arozarena, Mariners (11); Salvador Perez, Royals (9); Cal Raleigh, Mariners (9)

National League:  Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (12); Kyle Stowers, Marlins (10); Eugenio Suarez, Diamondbacks (10)

The Athletics Nick Kurtz led all hitters with at least 75 at bats in July slugging percentage at .953. The Marlins’ Kyle Stowers led the NL at .818.

RUNS BATTED IN

American League: Nick Kurtz, Athletics (27); Addison Barger, Blue Jays (24); five with 21

National League: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (29); Manny Machado, Padres (24); Willy Adames, Giants (21); Andrew Vaughn, Brewers (21)

RUNS SCORED

American League:  Nick Kurtz, Athletics (24); George Springer, Blue Jays (24); Jordan Westburg, Orioles (24)

National League: Willy Adames, Giants (19); Xavier Edwards, Marlins (19); Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (18); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (18)

DOUBLES

American League: Nick Kurtz, Athletics (13); Bo Bichette, Blue Jays (12); Gunnar Henderson, Orioles (10)

National League: Bryce Harper, Phillies (11); Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (10); Willson Contreras, Cardinals (9); August Ramirez, Marlines (9)

TRIPLES

American League:  Jarren Duran, Red Sox (3); six with two

National League: Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (5); Michael Harris II, Braves (4); seven with two

STOLEN BASES

American League:  Jose Ramirez, Guardians (10); Chandler Simpson, Rays (10); Zach Neto, Angels (8)

National League:  CJ Abrams, Nationals (9); Oneil Cruz, Pirates (7); Elly De La Cruz, Reds (7) ; Victor Scott, Cardinals (7)

The Reds’ Elly De La Cruz  and Victor Scott of the Cardinals tied for the most July bases stolen without getting caught (7).

 

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

American League:  Riley Greene, Tigers (40); Mike Trout, Angels (38); three with 34

National League: James Wood, Nationals (39); Dansby, Cubs (32); Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (32); Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (32)

WALKS

American League:  Mike Trout, Angels (22); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (19); Corey Seager, Rangers (17)

National League: Kyle Tucker, Cubs (21); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (20); three with 16

The highest on-base percentage among players with at least 75 July  at bats was .480, by the Athletics’ Nick Kurtz. The NL leader was the Marlins’ Kyle Stowers at .451.

PITCHING VICTORIES

American League: Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers (5-0); Garret Crochet, Red Sox (4-0);  Bennett Sousa, Astros (4-0); Chris Bassitt, Blue Jays (4-1); Luis Castillo, Mariners (4-1); George Kirby, Mariners (4-1); Brayan Bello, Red Sox (4-2)

National League:  Quinn Priester, Brewers (4-0); Matthew Boyd, Cubs (4-1); Nick Martinez, Reds (4-1); Adrian Morejon, Padres (4-1); Freddy Peralta, Brewers (4-1); Shota Imanaga, Cubs (4-2)

The Rockies’ Austin Gomber  (0-4, 6.38 in five starts) and Rays’ Shane Baz (0-4, 5.40 in five starts) tied for the MLB lead in July losses. 

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 20 July innings)

American League: Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers (0.59); Trevor Rogers, Orioles (1.03); Garrett Crochet, Red Sox (1.73)

National League: Paul Skenes, Pirates (0.67); David Peterson, Mets (1.05); Nick Pivetta, Padres 1.17

The highest ERA among pitchers with at least 20 July innings or four July starts was 6.38 by the Orioles’ Brandon Young (0-3, 6.38 in five starts, 24 innings).

STRIKEOUTS

American League: Logan Gilbert, Mariners (38); Jack Flaherty, Tigers (37); Jacob deGrom, Rangers (36); Ryan Pepiot, Rays (36)

National League: Nick Lodolo, Reds (38); Chase Burns, Reds 37; five with 36

WALKS + HITS/INNINGS PITCHED (at least 20 July innings)

American League: Trevor Rogers, Orioles (0.72); Eric Lauer, Blue Jays (0.76); Brandon Walter, Astros (0.79)

National League: Eury Perez, Marlins (0.64) ; Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (0.72); Mick Lodolo, Reds (0.75)

Among pitches with at least 20 July innings, the Marlins’ Eury Perez held batters to the lowest average at .135.

SAVES

American League:  Emmanuel Clase, Guardians (6); Carlos Estevez, Royals (6); Jeff Hoffman Blue Jays (6); Andres Munoz, Mariners (6); Devin Williams, Yankees (6)

National League:  Edwin Diaz, Mets (7); Robert Suarez, Padres (7) ; three with six  

Bonus:

Among pitchers who faced at least 50 batters in July :

• The Reds Chase Burns fanned the most batters per nine innings at 15.14 (37 strikeouts in 22 innings);
• The Pirates’ Carmen Mlodzinski had the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 16.0 (He walked one batter and fanned 16 in 13 innings.)

 

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

 

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It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

At times, as I prepare these tidbits, my mind begins to wander towards statistical queries of questionable significance, like: “What are the fewest wins in a season by a pitcher with at least thirty starts?” It turns out you get the same answer, even if you add more qualifiers, like: “What are the fewest wins in a season by a pitcher who made at least 30 starts in the course of the season and was his team’s Opening Day starter?”

The answer to both queries is Herman John (Jack) Nabors of the 1916 Philadelphia Athletics – or, perhaps more appropriately, the woeful 1916 Athletics. Nabors’ record that season was 1-20, 3.47 in forty appearances.  His record in his thirty starts was 1-20, 3.35 (11 complete games).

Side Note:  When you consider the dubious records noted in this post, keep in mind, the players “achieved” these marks, while being among the small percentage of players who reach the major-league level. 

Nabors started the Opener for the Athletics (at Boston, with Babe Ruth on the mound). Nabors was pulled in the top of the fifth (for a pinch hitter) with the game scoreless. At that point, he had gone four innings (two hits, no runs, three walks, no strikeouts). The Red Sox eventually prevailed 2-1, aided by four Philadelphia errors (both Boston runs were unearned, as was the sole Athletics’ tally).

Nabors got touched up for ten hits and three runs over six innings in his next start (an April 18 loss to the Yankees). His next outing was a complete game 6-2 win over the Red Sox (in Philadelphia) in which he gave up two runs on eight hits.  It would be the last time in the 1916 season (and actually the only time in his MLB career) that Nabors would see a “W” next to his name.

The 1916 Athletics had a 36-117 record (worst in MLB) and finished 54 1/2 games out of first place.  They scored the fewest runs in MLB at 447 (2.90 per game) and gave up the most tallies at 776 (5.04 runs per game). In addition, they led MLB with 314 fielding errors, leading to an MLB-highest 191 unearned runs.

During the 1916 season, the Athletics:

• scored a total of 81 runs in Nabor’s 30 starts;
• scored zero or one run in ten of Nabors 30 starts;
• made 68 errors in Nabors’ starts, leading to 25 unearned runs (26.6 percent of the runs Nabors surrendered in those starts).

As those stats show, Nabors did not have much to work with.  He did, in fact, deserve much better than his 1-20 record.  His 3.47 earned run average was actually better than the average AL ERA of 3.68 and was second-best among the Athletics’ primary starters.  (Twenty-two-year-old rookie righthander Elmer Meyers won 14 games for the Athletics – 23 losses – despite an ERA 0.19 higher than Nabors.)

A little more on Nabors

Nabors’ minor-league achievements included a 1915 12-1 record in the Class D Georgia-Alabama League, including a 13-inning no-hitter (11 strikeouts, no walks) and a 15-inning, three-hit shutout. The Georgia-Alabama League season ended July 14 and the Athletics won a spirited bidding war for his services.

He made his MLB debut August 9 against the White Sox and it might have been an omen.  He pitched a complete game, but lost 8-4.  Although he did give up 12 hits, seven walks and one hit batter, he wasn’t helped by the Athletics six errors (two by Nabors), which helped the White Sox to three unearned runs.  In the Society for American Baseball Research Jack Nabors bio, Stephen V. Rice notes that the White Sox took advantage of Nabors’ inexperience fielding his position, pointing to an August 10, 1915 Philadelphia Inquirer article that noted “six of the first seven hits credited against him being safe bunts that were beaten out, while the other one was a hit that (first baseman Stuffy) McInnis fielded and Nabors forgot all about covering first. “

Still, after putting up a 9.45 ERA in his first two MLB appearances, Nabors appeared to have righted the ship. He made eight more appearances and pitched to a 3.98 ERA (0-3 record) over those mound outings. Nabors finished the 1915 season at 0-5, 5.50 in ten games (seven starts).  His late-season improvement earned Nabors the nod to start the 1916 Opener and the rest (in the form of a 1-20 season record) is history.

While Nabors started the 1917 season with the Athletics, he pitched in just two games before being traded to the Indianapolis Indians of the Double-A American Association, who sent him to the Class-A Denver Bears of the Western League, where he pitched to a 9-17 record.  In 1918, Nabors enlisted in the Army (WWI), where he was sent to Camp Dodge Iowa, where he pitched for the camp baseball squad.  He fell victim to the influenza pandemic of 1918-19 and did not pitch again.  He passed away in 1923 (at 35 years of age) of tuberculosis.

Bonus: Tidbit

RHP Terry Felton, who spent parts of four seasons with the Minnesota Twins has unicorn status (for Baseball Roundtable) – holding the records for the most consecutive losses to start an MLB career and the most losses for any pitcher without single MLB win on his resume (16) – and sharing the record (with Hulon Stamps of the 1927 Negro National League Memphis Red Sox) for most losses in a season with no wins (13).   Felton’s career MLB record is 0-16, 5.53, with three saves, in 55 appearances.   

Felton signed with the Twins out of the 1976 MLB Draft (second round). He made his MLB debut (as a 21-year-old) September 28, 1979 (after a 7-10, 3.42 campaign at Triple-A). He got into just one game with the Twins that season – retiring six straight batters over the final two innings of a Twins’ 10-1 loss to the Brewers.

He spent most of 1980-81 in the minors, getting in just six games with the Twins (four starts) and going 0-3, 9.47.  In 1982, he stuck with the big club (48 appearances – six starts) and pitched his way into the record books.  He went 0-13, 4.99 in 48 games (six starts).  Felton did not pitch in the major leagues again, toiling at Triple-A and Double-A in the Twins and Dodgers systems (1983-84), before leaving pro ball.  

Primary Resources: Stathead.com; Jack Nabors, SABR Bio, by Stephen V. Rice

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P 1127

Once again, it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

On July 2, Dodgers southpaw Clayton Kershaw – a three-time Cy Young Award winner in his 18^th MLB season – notched his 3,000^th career strikeout. The victim was White Sox’ 3B Vinny Capra and the historic strikeout was the final out of the sixth inning (and the final batter Kershaw faced in the game).  Since that game, Kershaw has made two more starts and added five whiffs to his total.

A few things caught my eye: First, Kershaw became just the 20^th MLB pitcher to reach the 3,000+ strikeout mark.  However, the tidbits the Roundtable seeks are grounded in rarity.  So, two, he became just the fifth MLB pitcher to record 3,000 strikeouts for one team during his career. Three, Kershaw became just the third pitcher to record 3,000 or more strikeouts for one team and have those be the only strikeouts of his MLB career.

Three-thousand strikeouts for one team: Walter Johnson, 3,509, Nationals; Bob Gibson, 3,117, Cardinals; Steve Carlton, 3,031, Phillies; John Smoltz, 3,084, Braves; Clayton Kershaw, 3,005, Dodgers.  All of the 3,000+ strikeouts for the same team: Johnson, Gibson, Kershaw.

Of course, with The Roundtable, one thing always seems to lead to another.  So, I took a look at MLB pitchers to record at least 2,000 strikeouts with one team. There were 90 in that group, but I also found my “unicorn” for this post.  Randy Johnson is the only MLB pitcher to record at least 2,000 career strikeouts for two different teams. He notched 2, 162 whiffs for the Mariners (1989-98) and 2,077 for the Diamondbacks (1999-2004/2007-08). Along the way, the Hall of Famer led the AL in strikeouts in four seasons and the led NL in five. In eight of those nine seasons, his whiff total led MLB.

Johnson, a five-time Cy Young Award winner, had 300 or more strikeouts in six seasons and led his league in strikeouts per nine innings nine times. His final MLB stat line was 303-166, 3.29, with 4,875 strikeouts in 4,135 1/3 innings pitched. A few other Johnson facts:  ten-time All Star;  pitching triple-crown winner (24-5, 2.32, 334 strikeouts for the 2002 Diamondbacks); perfect game (May 18, 2004 versus Braves); no-hitter (June 2, 1990 versus Tigers.)

 

Bonus Tidbit. 

PITCHERS WITH 3,000 OR MORE CAREER STRIKEOUTS.

Nolan Ryan                  5,714

Randy Johnson           4,875

Roger Clemens           4,672

Steve Carlton               4,136

Bert Blyleven               3,701

Tom Seaver                  3,640

Don Sutton                   3,574

 Gaylord Perry               3,534

Walter Johnson          3,509

Justin Verlander         3,483 (still active)

Max Scherzer              3,431 (still active)

Greg Maddux              3,371

Phil Niekro                  3,342

Fergie Jenkins            3,192

Pedro Martinez          3,154

Bob Gibson                  3,117

Curt Schilling              3,116

CC Sabathia                 3,093

John Smoltz                3,084

Clayton Kershaw       3,005 (still active)

Primary Resource:  Stathead.com

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

I tweet (on X) baseball @DavidBaseballRT

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P 1126

Once again, it’s time for Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday.  Well actually, I am a day late, due to some family medical issues.  Even on a Wednesday,  I hope you are enjoying this weekly (Tuesday) presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

This post in the series looks at a couple of longball unicorns. Keith McDonald, who holds the all-time mark for the most career home runs by a player whose every MLB hit went yard, and Daniel Camarena, the only player whose lone MLB career hit was a Grand Slam.  Side note, Camarena was a pitcher … 16 of the 29 hitters (to date) whose only MLB hit was a home run were moundsmen.  

So, let’s get started with Camarena. The southpaw was a 20^th-round MLB draft pick (Yankees -2011), out of Cathedral Catholic High School (San Diego, CA). To shorten a long story, Camarena’s path to the major leagues was not a “quick and easy” one.  His MLB debut came in his tenth professional season and his path included Tommy John surgery (2015) and time in the Yankees’, Giants’, Twins’ and Padres’ minor-league systems.

Camarena made his MLB debut with the Padres on June 19, 2021, giving up three runs in 2 2/3 innings in a Padres’ 7-5 win over the Reds.  His next appearance came on July 8 with the Padres facing the Nationals in San Diego. The game featured a pair of “aces” on the mound – three-time Cy Young Award winner Max Scherzer starting for the Nationals and Yu Darvish for the Padres. The pitchers’ duel, however, was not about to materialize.  By the close of fourth inning, both starters were on the bench (or in the showers) and the score was Nationals 8 – Padres 7.

Camarena relieved Darvish in the top of the fourth inning, with the Padres already down 6-0. The first batter he faced was Scherzer, who fanned on four pitches. In the course of the inning, Camarena gave up a two-run homer to SS Trea Turner to run the Nationals’ lead to 8-0.

The wheels came off for Scherzer (who came into the game at 7-4, 2.10 on the season) in the bottom of the inning. It started with a Fernando Tatis, Jr. home run and then went strikeout, hit by pitch, single, hit by pitch, walk, strikeout. This brought up Camarena with the Padres trailing 6-2, the bases loaded and no outs. Retire the rookie pitcher, in just second MLB plate appearance, and Scherzer escapes with a six-run lead.  Didn’t happen. Camarena took a 1-2 offering from Scherzer 416-feet to right field for a Grand Slam – his first (and what would prove to be his only) MLB hit. It made Camarena just the second pitcher in MLB history whose first MLB hit was a Grand Slam.  For unicorn status, it also makes him the first hitter (to date), any position, whose only career MLB hit has been a Grand Slam. (The 2021 season was Camarena’s only one in the major leagues. He was released by the Padres in November 2024 and pitched in Mexico in 2025.  His MLB stat line as a pitcher was 0-1, 9.64 in six games and, as a hitter, he was one-for-three (.333), with one home run and four RBI. (Side note: Scherzer gave up a double to to Padres’ LF Tommy Pham after Camarena’s  Slam and was replaced on the mound by Kyle Finnegan. )

Spoiler Alert:  At the end of this post, you will find charts of players whose only MLB hits were home runs.  At the top of that list would Keith McDonald.

Keith McDonald has the most home runs of any MLB player whose every hit went for the distance.

McDonald was a star athlete for Esperanza High School (Anaheim, California).  He was a three-year starter at quarterback – throwing for 31 touchdowns in his junior and senior seasons.  He also was a three-year player on the school baseball squad. How good was he? In his senior season, McDonald hit .406 and put up a 1.90 ERA (4-0, with three saves).

Selected in the 18th round of the 1993 MLB Draft, McDonald chose instead to accept a scholarship to the University of Utah; where he would be able to play both football and baseball. Things didn’t work out at Utah, however, and – after a difficult period of adjustment, a “red shirt” season in football and a challenging year on the diamond – McDonald chose to return to California.  He transferred to Cypress College (Cypress, CA), where he combined his studies with a .353-8-37 line in 55 games (and, as a catcher, threw out 34 of 62 base runners attempting to steal).  In 1994, it was on to Pepperdine University (Malibu, CA), where he hit .266, with seven home runs and 24 RBI in 48 games.

The St. Louis Cardinals selected the 6’2”, 215-pound, 21-year-old in the 24th round of the 1994 draft – and McDonald’s pro career was underway.  From 1994 to 1999, McDonald worked his way up through Rookie ball, A, High- A, Double -A and Triple-A.

As he started the 2000 season at Memphis, McDonald had little idea he was on the brink of MLB history. He was hitting .246, with one home run and 17 RBI for the Memphis squad as the season moved into July – and, more important, precisely when Cardinals’ backup catcher Eli Marrero injured his hand attempting to steal a base. On July 2, McDonald was called up to the big club to replace Marrero.

He got his first taste of MLB action on July 4, before an Independence Day crowd of 46,022 (in St, Louis). McDonald came to the plate as a pinch hitter (for SS Edgar Renteria) in the bottom of the eighth inning – with the Cardinals ahead by a 13-3 score.  It was a good opportunity to provide a rookie with a low-pressure first MLB at bat.  After hitting just one home run in 177 at bats at Triple-A that season, McDonald sent a 2-2 pitch out of the park to left-center.  The blast made him the 79th player to homer in their first MLB at bat.

McDonald did not play in the Reds/Cardinals July 5 tilt, but on July 6 – this time before a crowd of 43,287 – McDonald started at catcher against the Reds, batting in the number-eight spot.  He got his first at bat in the bottom of the second, with the Cardinals trailing 3-2. He tied the game with a home run on a 1-0 pitch – becoming just the second MLB player ever to homer in their FIRST TWO plate appearances. He finished the day one-for-three with a walk and two RBI.

In McDonald’s next MLB game (July 8) – with the Cardinals hosting the Giants – McDonald replaced Matheny at catcher in the top of the ninth, with the Giants up 7-6. McDonald came to the plate in the bottom of the inning and drew a walk. He didn’t take the field again until July 13, when he again entered the game as a pinch hitter (this time in the top of the ninth with the Cardinals up 13-3 on the White Sox in Chicago).  He grounded out to second.

Two days later (July 15), still in Chicago, McDonald pinch hit again. This time, it came in the top of the ninth of a game in which the Cardinals trailed 15-5. McDonald popped a 3-1 pitch for a two-run home run. (Attendance 40,681.) At this stage of his MLB career, he was three-for-six – with all three 0f his hits leaving the yard and all before crowds in excess of 40,000. McDonald got only one more major-league at bat that season, a ninth-inning, pinch-hit fly out against the Twins on July 15.

Then, as suddenly as it began, it was over. On July 21, McDonald was sent back down to Memphis, where he finished the season .263-5-30 in 83 games.  He appeared in just two more major league games – in September of 2001 – going hitless in two at bats.   McDonald then spent the next five seasons at AAA; playing in the Cardinals’, Cubs’, Pirates’, Rangers’ and Yankees’ systems.  He played a total of 13 minor-league seasons, hitting .264, with 78 home runs and 418 RBI. His final MLB line was .333 (three-for-nine), with three home runs and five RBI.

 

Primary Resource: Stathead.com

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P 1125

Once again, it’s time for Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

Today’s tidbits focus on unassisted triple plays (there have been fewer of those than perfect games).  In this case, the usual disclaimers come into play. Due to the changing shape of the game and potential challenges with early game recordkeeping, I am limiting this to the Modern Era (post-1900). Game-by game records for the Negro Leagues from 1920-48 (now officially major leagues) have not been fully integrated into the MLB record books).

Today (July 8) marks the 31st anniversary of Red Sox’ shortstop John Valentin’s unassisted triple play – turned in the sixth inning of a Boston 4-3 win over the Mariners (in Fenway). It came in the bottom of the sixth, with the Red Sox trailing 2-0.  Mariners’ 1B Mike Blowers opened the inning with a ground ball single (off Chris Nabholz), followed by a walk to RF Keith Mitchell. Next up was DH Marc Newfield who lashed a 1-1 pitch on a line right at Valentin (with the runners moving on the pitch). Valentin snagged the drive, stepped on second to force Blowers and then tagged Mitchell who had been on his way to the second base bag. Boom! Inning over. Valentin earns unicorn status, as he was the first batter in the bottom of the inning and he took Mariners’ pitcher Dave Fleming deep to left field for a home run. It made him one of three batters (to date) to homer in the same game that they turned an unassisted triple play, one of only two batters to homer in the same inning as they turned an unassisted triple play and the only MLB batter to homer when coming to the plate immediately after turning a triple play.

It was Valentin’s sixth homer of a season in which he would go .316-9-49.  Valentin played in 11 MLB seasons (1992-2002 … all but his final season with the Red Sox. (He finished his career with the Mets.)

The only other player to homer the same inning in which he turned an unassisted triple play was Cleveland Naps’ SS Neal Ball, during a July 19, 1909, 6-1 win over the Red Sox (in Cleveland). The Naps had a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, when Red Sox’ SS Heinie Wagner opened the frame with single to center (off Cy Young, who had been traded from Boston to Cleveland that February). Red Sox’ 1B Jake Stahl then beat out a bunt to put runners on first and second with no outs. That brought 2B Amby McConnell to the plate and he lashed line drive over the head of Young that appeared headed for the grass in center field. Ball, however, made a leaping, run-saving catch, to retire McConnell. He the stepped on the keystone sack to force out Wagner and tagged Stahl, who had been on the move toward second.  Ball came to the plate (two outs, bases empty) in the bottom of the inning and hit the first pitch he saw from Charlie Chech to deep centerfield. Ball scampered (Do people still scamper?) around the bases for an inside-the-park home – making him the only player to hit an inside-the-park homer and turn an unassisted triple play in the same game.  It was Ball’s first career home run, only home run of the season and one of only four he would hit in his career (three were inside-the-parkers).

Ball played in seven MLB seasons (1907-1913 … Yankees, Naps and Red Sox), going .250-4-151.

The only other player to homer in the same game in which he turned an unassisted triple play was Athletics’ 2B Randy Velarde. His moment came on May 29, 2000, as the A’s lost to the Yankees 4-1 in New York. It happened in the bottom of the sixth inning and was set up, in part, by his own error.

With the Yankees ahead 1-0, New York RF Paul O’Neill opened the inning by drawing a six-pitch walk from Omar Olivares.  CF Bernie Williams than tripled O’Neill home. Next, 1B Tino Martinez was hit by an 0-2 pitch. Next, an error by Velarde allowed Williams to score, Martinez to go to second and the batter (C Jorge Posada) to reach first. Then, with the runners moving with the pitch, DH Shane Spencer lined out to Velarde, who did things in a bit of reverse order: First tagging Posada, who was approaching second from first and then stepping on the bag to force Martinez. Velarde waited awhile to join the Homer/Triple Play Club. He took Andy Pettitte deep with one out in the top of the ninth for the A’s only run of the game.

For those into Trivia(l) Tidbits:

• Being in the middle of the diamond is ideal when it comes to unassisted triple plays. All but two of the 15 unassisted triple killings have been accomplished by middle infielders (eight by shortstops, five by second baseman.) The other two belong to first sackers.
• Only two unassisted triple plays came on the final play of a game. On May 31, 1927, in the top of the ninth, with the Tigers up 1-0 over the Indians in Detroit, runners on first and second (walk and bunt single), Tigers’ 1B Johnny Neun turned a line drive by Homer Summa in a triple killing, ending the contest contest; on August 23, 2009, with his Phillies up 9-7 over the Mets in New York, runners on first and second and nobody out, Eric Bruntlett turned a liner by Jeff Francoeur in a game-ending unassisted triple killing.
• Cleveland has turned the most unassisted triple plays (three) and also been victimized an MLB-leading three times by unassisted triple plays.
• Indians’ 2B Bill Wambsganss turned the only post-season unassisted triple play – in Game Five of the 1920 World Series (versus the Brooklyn Robins). The Indians won the contest 8-1 and won the Series four-gams to three.

  Primary Resources: Stathead.com; Baseball-Almanac.com; “July 19, 1909: Neal Ball’s unassisted triple play and homer propel Cy Young to win over former team,” by Bill Marston, Society for American Baseball Research

 

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P 1124

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.

____________________________________________________

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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