Baseball Roundtable July Wrap UP – Stories, Stats, Stars and More

It’s August 1 and that means it’s time for the Baseball Roundtable July Wrap up – the stats and stories that caught The Roundtable’s attention in July – as well as the Players and Pitchers of the Month and the ongoing Baseball Roundtable Trot Index.

Notably, there was plenty to write about for July:

• A triple play;
• A 250^th home run and 250^th career win;
• a 300th home run;
• A combined no-hitter;
• A four-strikeout inning;
• A player swiping second, third and home in one plate appearance;
• Some “Long Ball “birthday celebrations;
• Three bases on a strikeout; and
• More.

For the stats and stories, read on.

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Let’s start, as usual, with the Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month.

BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE JULY PLAYERS/PITCHERS OF THE MONTH

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Player of the Month … Tie: Manny Machado, 3B, Padres and Cody Bellinger, CF, Cubs

Manny Machado led MLB with 11 July home runs and 29 July RBI, while also putting up a .309 average and scoring 20 runs – all in just 25 games.   Machado truly made his hits count, driving in those 29 runs on 29 hits.  Machado’s month included six multi-RBI games. In a seven-game stretch (July 3-14), when the Padres recorded six wins, Machado went 12-for-27 (.444), with five home runs and 14 RBI.  Machado also walked more often (16) than he struck out (14).

A .400+ average is the kind of a bright and shiny thing that attracts Baseball Roundtable.

Cubs’ CF Cody Bellinger spurred the Cubs’ 15-11 record in July,  with – among other stats – an MLB-best (among players with at least 50 at bats) .400 average for the month. He led all of MLB in July hits (40), while stroking eight home runs (tied for fourth in the NL) and driving in 24 (second in the NL). Bellinger also scored 21 runs.  Bellinger recorded at least one base hit in 23 of 26 games and had 13 multiple hit games. During the month he was never held hitless in consecutive games.

Honorable Mentions: We start here with a couple of brothers from “The Catching Contreras Family.” Brewers’ catcher William Contreras finished second in the NL in July hits (35), batting .365, with three homers and 18 RBI in 23 games. Willson Contreras, of the Cardinals- went .429-3-9 in 17 games.  (He had only 49 at bats, so didn’t make the Roundtable leader board.) The Roundtable also took a look at Nationals’ 22-year-old SS CJ Abrams, who led MLB in July stolen bases (16 in 16 attempts) and added a .327 average, with 32 hits (sixth in the NL) and 24 runs scored (tied for first in the NL).  Abrams, notably, came into the month hitting just .230 on the season, with 11 multi-hit games, he raised his average to .257 by months end.

Pitcher of the Month … Corbin Burnes, RHP, Brewers

Burnes went 4-1, 1.85 for the month (six starts). He also fanned 47 batters (second only to Spencer Strider in the NL) versus 13 walks in 39 innings. Burnes’ 0.72 WHIP (Walks & Hits per inning pitched) was the lowest among NL pitchers with at least 20 July innings, as was his batting average against (.115). Burnes went at least six innings in each of his six starts and his 39 July innings led MLB.

Honorable Mentions:  The Padres’ Blake Snell went 4-1 in six starts – and put up a 0.56 earned run average, lowest among MLB pitchers with at least 20 July innings. Snell fanned 42 batters in 32 innings. So, why – despite that bright and shiny ERA –  Burnes over Snell?  I couldn’t get past the fact that Snell walked an MLB-highest 26 batters in July and his WHIP (1.50) and Batting Average Against (.196) trailed Burnes. Still, he pitched his way into and out of trouble, an deserves mention here.  Snell’s teammate, RHP Joe Musgrove, also deserves recognition  for his  4-1, 1.45 in five July starts – fanning 36 and walking just five in 31 innings.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Player of the Month … Kyle Tucker, RF, Astros

Tucker put up a .359 average in July (fourth in the AL among hitters with at least 50 at bats), with seven home runs (tied for fourth in the AL) and 21 RBI (also tied for fourth). In addition, his 33 July hits were third in the AL and his 19 runs scored tied for second. Tucker’s month included a three-homer game on July 15, two four-hit games and two four-RBI games.  He reached base safely in 21 of 25 games. During an 11-game hitting streak (July 14-25), he hit .439-5-13.  Tucker also stole six basses in eight attempts. Tucker drew 14 walks and his .448 on-base percentage was third among AL hitters with at least 50 July at bats.

Honorable Mentions: Royals’ SS Bobby Witt, Jr. made this a tough call.  Witt hit .327-6-21 for the month, with six steals in eight attempts.  He 32 hits tied for fourth  in the AL and his three triples tied for the July league lead. What separated Tucker and Witt, from The Roundtable’s, perspective, was that Witt had just three walks (and 20 strikeouts), while Tucker had 14 walks and 14 strikeouts. Justin Turner, DH, Red Sox hit .337, with five homers and an AL-best 28 July RBI.

Pitcher of the Month … Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Rays

Glasnow went 3-2 for July, putting up a 2.11 earned run average and fanning an AL-highest 51 batters, while also throwing an AL-highest 38 1/3 innings. Notably, he walked only eight batters in his six July starts. His 0.89 whip was fifth-best in the AL and he held hitters to a .186 average.  His two losses came to two of MLB’s hottest teams – the Braves and the Orioles.  In those two contests, he gave up just three earned runs in 12 2/3 innings and fanned 17 batters while walking just one.

Honorable Mentions: The Roundtable also looked at a couple of effective relievers here. The Red Sox’ (RHP) Nick Pivetta, serving primarily as a long-reliever, went 3-1, 1.91 in six appearances (one start) and fanned 43 batters, against just six walks, in 28 1/3 innings.  He put up a 0.71 WHIP and held batters to a .144 average, The Orioles’ closer, Felix Bautista, saved eight games in eight opportunities and fanned 25 batters in 14 innings – giving up just three hits, four walks  and zero runs.

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Surprise Player(s) of the Month 

Tie: Triston Casas,1B, Red Sox & Tanner Bibee, RHP, Guardians

The Roundtable went with a couple of rookies here.

Triston Casas  – The 23-year-old Red Sox 1B (rookie status still intact) – came into July hitting just .227.  For the month, he went .348-7-13, with 16 runs scored.  He hit safely in  13  of the 17 games he started and logged seven multi-hit contests. Casas was a Red Sox first-round pick in the 2018 MLB Draft – out  of American Heritage High School. (He also played for the U.S. Team in the 2020 Summer Olympics.) The 6’5”, 244-pound Casas hit .269-46-181 over four minor-league seasons. Last season, he hit .273-11-38 in 72 games at Triple-A in 2022 and .197-5-12 in 27 games with the Red Sox.

Tanner Bibee. The Guardians’ 24-year-old rookie RHP had a stellar month, going 3-0, 1.78 in five starts. He fanned 33 batters (10 walks) in 30 1/3 innings, put up a 0.99 WHIP and held hitters to a .183 average. Bibee was a fifth-round  pick (out of California State University, Fullerton) in the 2021 MLB Draft. Bibee may be a bit less of a surprise. In 2022, he went 8-2, 2.17 at High-A and Double-A, and, this season,  was 2-0, 1.76 at Triple-A before being called up.  He finished July 7-2, 3.11 on the season. Even given his high status as a prospect, it’s a surprise when a rookie does so well so quickly.

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THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE

Through July 30,  35.6 percent of the MLB season’s 120,859 plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We’re talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher’s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here’s the breakout: strikeouts (22.7%); walks (8.6%); home runs (3.1%); HBP (1.1%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Strikeouts, by the way, outnumbered base hits 27,465 – 26,787.

The 35.6 percent figure is up from 2022’s full season 34.6 percent.  Other recent seasons: 2021 – 36.3 percent; 2020 –  37.3 percent;  2019 – 36.2 percent; and 2018 – 34.8 percent.  By further comparison, in 1990, the Trot Index was 26.1 percent.  

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The Orioles are no longer a surprise – and their 17-9 July record, coupled with the Rays’ slump – have vaulted the Birds into first place in the East. In July, the O’s scored the second-most runs in the AL and gave up the fourth fewest tallies.  As a team, they made their hits count – scoring the second-most July runs with the league’s fifth-lowest team batting average and fifth-fewest home runs. It’s also notable that their starting pitchers went 7-6 for the month, while the bullpen staff put up a 10-3 record (with ten saves).  There may be some vulnerability there. The stretch run should be interesting.

The biggest surprise in the AL may have been the slumping Rays – who scored the fewest runs in the AL in July (just 87, as compared to the Orioles’ 126). Looking at the starting lineup, only 1B Yandy Diaz (.324) and 2B Brandon Lowe (.284) hit .250 or better in July.  A couple of other AL observations:  The Central Division Title seems like the crown no one wants to wear.  The Astros seem to be coming to life in the West (or maybe the Rangers are just fading a bit). In July, Houston topped the AL in home runs (40) and runs scored (131) – led by RF Kyle Tucker (.359-7-23 in July) and CF Chas McCormick (.351-6-23). On the mound J.P. France led the way, going 4-0, 2.30 in five July starts.

Over in the NL, the Cardinals began to show some life.  Though they remain in last place, they had a winning month of July – scoring the NL’s second-most runs. Third baseman Nolan Arenado provided the most firepower (.295-6-23 for the month). The pitching staff, however, put up the NL’s fifth-highest ERA. Meanwhile, the Reds continue to play well, putting up the NL’s third-lowest July ERA (3.51) and scoring the fifth-most runs. A couple key July contributors were RHP Graham Ashcraft (3-1, 1.84 in five starts) and closer Alexis Diaz (ten saves in ten opportunities). On offense, they shared the load, with six players driving in ten or more runs in July. In the West, the Dodgers are back on top, while in the East the Braves continue to bash home runs (an MLB-highest 47 in July) and Spencer Strider continues to fan batter at a dizzying rate.

–——Team  Statistical Leaders for July  2023 ———-

RUNS SCORED

National League –  Cubs (150); Cardinals (138); Padres (135)

American League – Astros (131); Orioles (126); Red Sox (124): Mariners (124)

The fewest  runs in July  were scored by the Giants – 83. The Rays tallied the fewest runs in the AL at 87.  

AVERAGE

National League – Cardinals (.275); Marlins (.272); Cubs (.268)

American League – Red Sox (.285); Rangers (.270); Guardians (.269)

The lowest team average for July belonged to the Giants at .209. The lowest in the AL was the Rays (.216).  The only other team under .220 was the Pirates (.218).

HOME RUNS

National League – Braves (47); Padres (39); Dodgers (38)

American League –  Angels (41);  Astros (40); three at 34

The Marlins had the fewest home runs in July at 17.  They were the only team under 22.

The Braves led MLB in slugging percentage for July at .497.  The Red Sox led the AL at .475. 

STOLEN BASES

National League – Nationals (31); Reds (29); Cubs (27)

American League – Guardians (27); Red Sox (25); Royals (23)

The Pirates stole the fewest sacks in July  – just four in eight attempts.   The Angels  were at the bottom of the AL, with eight in eleven  attempts. 

WALKS DRAWN

National League –   Padres (107); Cardinals (101); Dodgers (100)

American League  Yankees (96); Blue Jays (92); Angels (90)

The Cardinals led MLB in on-base percentage for July  at .353. The Blue Jays led the AL  at .341.  The Rays had MLB’s lowest  OBP for July  at .288.  

BATTERS’ STRIKEOUTS

National League – Reds (241); Phillies (239); Pirates (234)

American League – Mariners (272);Twins (258); Angels (251)

Guardians  batters fanned the fewest times in May  (163).

Bonus Stats

• Cardinals’ batters racked up the most total bases in July at 422.  The Giants were at the bottom of MLB at 278.
• The Diamondbacks led in sacrifice bunts for July with eight. Three teams (Rockies, Tigers and Rays) recorded zero sacrifice bunts
• The Mariners had 25 hit batters in July to lead MLB. The Mets led the NL with 23.  The Marlins had just four.
• The Cardinals grounded into an MLB-high 30 double plays in July.

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Earned Run Average

National League – Padres (3.25); Mets (3.49); Reds (3.51)

American League –  Blue Jays (3.27); Marines (3.35); Orioles (3.61)

The Nationals had the highest July  ERA at 6.04.  Others over 5.00 were:  Rangers (5.64); D-backs (5.46); Pirates (5.28); Royals (5.07).

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Brewers (255); Padres (247); Marlins (225)

American League –  Mariners (247); Blue Jays (246); Twins (242)

The Brewers  averaged an MLB-best 10.34 strikeouts per nine innings in July. The Rays averaged an AL-best 10.16.  Others over 10.00 were the Twins (10.07)  and the Blue Jays (10.06). Twelve teams averaged nine whiffs per nine or better.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED

National League  – Giants (51); Rockies (65); Phillies (66); Brewers (66)

American League – Rays (49); Mariners (62); Twins (62); Tiers (62)

The Giants walked an MLB-lowest 2.06 batters per nine innings in July.  The Padres walked an MLB-worst 4.21 batters per nine frames.

SAVES

National League – Brewers (12); Reds (12); three with eight

American League – Astros (11); Orioles (10); three with nine

Bonus Stats:

• The Nationals gave up an MLB-high 46 home runs in July – The  Mets gave up an MLB-low 20.
• The Mariners held opponents to an MLB-low .226 average in July; the Nationals’ staff was touched for an MLB-high .300 during the month.
• The Rays strikeouts-to-walks ratio for July topped MLB at 4.90. The Nationals had MLB’s worse ration at 1.95.
• The Cardinals and Marlins led in blown saves in July at eight each: Cardinals five saves in 13 opportunities; Marlins three saves in 11 opportunities.  By contrast, the Red Sox and Mariners were each nine-for-ten in converting save opportunities.

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—–JULY HIGHLIGHTS —- –

Abreu Hits number 250

On July 3, as his Astros topped the Rangers 12-11 in Texas, Houston 1B Jose Abreu went two-for-five with a double, a home run, four RBI and two runs scored.  It was Abreu’s seventh home run of the season and 250^th of his ten-season (2014-2023) MLB career. Abreu was the 2014 AL Rookie of the Year (White Sox), is a three-time All Star and was the 2020 AL Most Valuable Player.

More Complete-Game Shutouts

July saw four more complete-game shutouts – Mariners’ Logan Gilbert; Angels’ Shohei Ohtani; Twins’ Pablo Lopez; Giants’ Logan Webb.  That brings 2023 CG Shutouts to 15.  One  year ago, there were six complete-game shutouts through July and 16 for the full season.

One for the Record Books

On July 7, the Braves topped the Rays 2-1 on the strength of C Sean Murphy’s two-run homer in the fourth inning.  It was Murphy’s 16^th long ball of 2023 and, more notably, the Braves 167^th long ball of 2023. That total gave them the Modern Era record for home runs before the All Star Break.

Three-for-Four

On July 7, the Tyler Glasnow of the Tampa Rays became the record the 102nd four-strikeout inning in NL/AL history.  It came in the second inning, as the Rays faced the first-place Braves in Tampa Bay. Glasnow fanned Matt Olson (looking ) on five pitches to open the frame.  He then got catcher Sean Murphy on four pitches (also looking) and DH Marcell Ozuna swinging on three pitches.  The final pitch to Ozuna was a wild pitch, with Ozuna making it safely to first base and paving the way for Glasnow’s  fourth whiff of the inning – LF Eddie Rosario, swinging on five pitches.  For those who like to know such things, Glasnow also had a four-strikeout inning for the Rays – versus the Blue Jays – on April 23, 2021.

In the game, won by the Braves 2-1, Glasnow went 5 2/3 innings, giving up two runs (one earned) on two hits and one walk, with eight strikeouts. While Baseball-Almanac.com  lists 102 four-strikeout innings in MLB history, only 35 of those (like Glasgow’s) have involved four consecutive strikeouts.

Players with Multiple Four-Strikeout Innings

Chuck Finely (3); A.J. Burnett (2); Tyler Glasnow (2); Zack Greinke (2).

 

I’ll Have the Combination Plate

On July 8, the Tigers notched the second no-hitter of the 2023 season, this one a combined no-n0 involving Matt Manning (6 2/3 innings), Jason Foley (1 1/3 innings), and Alex Lange (1 inning).  It came against the Blue Jays, who fell to the Tigers (in Detroit) by a 2-0 score. The three Tiers pitchers fanned seven and walked three. It was the 20^th combined no-hitter in MLB history – the first for the Tigers.

Stop, Thief

On July 8,with the Reds and Brewers tied 5-5 in the seventh inning , Reds’ 21-year-old rookie SS Elly De La Cruz  took the game into his own hands (and feet). With two outs and a runner on third, De La Cruz stroked an RBI single off  the Brewers’ Elvis Peguero.  Then with  Jake Fraley at the plate, De La Cruz swiped second based on an 1-0 pitch and third base (without a throw) on a 1-2 pitch. But he wasn’t done yet. De La Cruz broke for home after Peguero took the return throw from catcher William Contreras and turned his back to return to the mound.  De La Cruz beat the surprised Peguero’s throw to home plate for his third steal of the inning. (The Reds, by the way, prevailed 8-5 and De La Cruz was two-for-four with two runs scored and one RBI.)

De La Cruz became the 47th MLB Player to steal first, second and home in the same inning.  Only four players have accomplished the feat more than once in their careers. (De La Cruz has lots of time to work on that. )

Stealing Second, Third and Home In an Inning More than More Than Once

 

Ty Cobb (4X), Tigers                                                1909, 1911, 1912, 1924

Honus Wagner (4X), Colonels, Pirates            1899, 1902, 1907. 1909

Max Carey ( 2X), Pirates                                        1923, 1925

Jackie Tavener (2X), Tigers                                  1927, 1928

 

Machado Rolls a 300

On July 15, as the Padres dropped the first game of a twin bill 6-4 to the Phillies, Manny Machado went one-for-five with a home run. It was Machado’s 17th long ball of the season and the 300^th of his career. Machado ended July at ,280-303-915 for his 12-season MLB career.

Yeah, You Can Tell They’re Brothers 

On July 14, as the Guardians lost to the Rangers 12-4 in Texas, Cleveland’s 26-year-old 1B Josh Naylor and his brother, 23-year-old C Bo Naylor, made a bit of history, becoming just the 13^th pair of Brothers to homer in the same game for the same MLB team – and the first to do it in the same inning.The Naylor’s  homers came just four batters apart in the third inning. The other pairs of brothers to homer for the same team in the same game include: B.J. and Dustin Upton (six times); Jason and Jeremy Giambi (four times); Henry and Tommie Aaron (three times); Lloyd and Paul Waner (three times); Adrian and Edgar Gonzalez (two times); Cal (jr.) and Billy Ripken (two times); Tony and Billy Conigliaro (two times); Adam and Andy LaRoche; Benji and Jose Molina; Matty and Jesus Alou;  Matty and Felipe Alou.

More #InBaseballWeCountEverything

On July 17, Christian Encarnacion-Strand made his MLB debut – starting art DH for the Reds.  In that zero-for-three performance, he became the player with the longest name in MLB history. Encarnacion-Strand gets credit for 27 characters in his uniform back name (hyphen included), breaking the record of 22 characters by 2022 rookie Simeon Woods Richardson of the Twins. As the end of July, Encarnacion -Strand was hitting .244-17 in 13 games.

13 Can Be A Lucky Number

On July 17, Red Sox’ righty Nick Pivetta came on in relief in the bottom of the third inning, with Boston leading Oakland 2-0.  It was the start of an historic outing. Pivetta went six scoreless/hitless innings, walking two and fanning 13. The thirteen strikeouts were the most ever in a relief appearance by a Red Sox hurler.  (The AL/NL record is 16, by Randy Johnson in a seven-inning relief stint on July 18, 2001.) Pivetta got the win  as Boston triumphed 7-0. For those who like to know such things, the A’s got just one hit in the contest and fanned 18 times.

Wow.  Eons ago, in a Faraway Baseball Galaxy

On July 18, four MLB games ended with both teams scoring at least ten runs.  Three of those games barely made the qualifying mark, ending 11-10. Here are the scores:

Mets 11- White Sox 10;

Diamondbacks 16 – Braves 13

Royals 11 – Tigers 10

Giants 11-Red 10

Here are the previous instances:

July 4, 1894

Colts (Chicago) 16 – Phillies 10

Pirates 13 – Beaneaters (Boston) 11

Phillies 12 – Colts 11

Giants 12 – Spiders (Cleveland) 11

July 9, 1894

Orioles 14 – Pirates 10

Spiders 16 – Senators 15

Colts 13- Beaneaters 11

Phillies 11 –  Browns 10

Turn Up the Contrast

In contrast to the recent day of double-digit scoring games (above) , The most shutouts ever recorded in a single MLB day (modern era) was eight (out of sixteen games) on June 4, 1972 – two of those coming with the A’s topping the Orioles 2-0 in both games of a doubleheader. More contrast?  The eight shutouts involved  a total of 14 pitchers for the winning teams.   On July 30 of this season, MLB saw five shutouts – and the winning teams used a total of 19 pitchers.

A Swing and a Miss … and he Slides into Third

On July 18, the Diamondbacks won a wild game at Atlanta 16-13. The game featured, among other things, one wild pitch and one wild scurry to third base. In the second inning, with the score knotted at five apiece, Diamondbacks’ rookie OF Corbin Carroll came to the plate – against Bryce Elder – with a runner on second and one out. Carroll swung and missed a nasty 2-2 slider from Elder.  The pitch (a wild pitch) bounced in the dirt and skipped away from catcher Sean Murphy. Murphy got to the ball and with Carroll hustling down the first base line, fired the ball past 1B Matt Olson and down the RF line.  By the time RF Ronald Acuna, Jr. got the ball back into the infield, Carroll was at third base.

I Can Do You One Better

On April 25, 1970, I was “privileged” to see Detroit pitcher Earl Wilson circle the bases (well, almost) on a strikeout. It happened in the top of the seventh, with two outs, no one on base and the Twins  up 2-1 over the Tigers.  Wilson was at the plate and the good-hitting pitcher was fanned by Twins’ starter Jim Kaat (yes, both starters were still in the game in the seventh frame).

Twins’ catcher  Paul Ratliff, however, had trapped the ball  (as signaled by home plate umpire Marty Springstead).  Only nobody, except third base coach Grover Resinger, saw (or, at least registered) the safe call. Resinger instructed Wilson to stay put at home plate (not unusual for the pitcher to dawdle, and wait for someone to bring his glove from the dugout.). As Ratliff rolled the ball back to the pitcher’s mound,  the fans applauded the whiff and the Twins headed into the dugout. When the bulk of the Twins squad was off the field, Resinger told Wilson to run. As Wilson rounded first and headed toward second, only Twins slow-moving left fielder Brant Alyea was on the field (near first base on his way in from the, apparently far-off, region of left field).  It was an odd sight, Wilson  – instead of taking the mound – running the bases with most of the Twins in the dugout.

Alyea managed to corral the ball as Wilson rounded third and a welcoming party of now-awakened Twins (led by SS Leo Cardenas) was headed toward home plate.  As Alyea threw to Cardenas, Wilson put on the brakes and headed back toward third base, pulled a hamstring and was tagged out by Alyea (who took a return throw from Cardenas). So, we had a play that was scored K-E2-7-6-7.

My dad and I were at the game and on the play were: First, confused; second, entertained; and third, a little miffed, when Twins’ Bob Allison was ejected during the heated discussion that followed Wilson’s circuit of the bases.  The Twins, by the way, won the game 4-3.

Conjugate This  – Fast, Fastest, Fastest

On July 19, when Twins’ closer Jhoan Duran came on in the bottom of the ninth to protect a 6-3 lead in Seattle, he had already tossed the 2023 season’s four fastest pitches  – ranging from 104.4 mph to 104.6 MPH.

Mariners. SS J.P. Crawford opened the frame with a single and Duran then hit CF Julio Rodriguez with a pitch. Duran next  fanned LF Jarred Kelenic after a tough nine-pitch battle. Next, on an 0-2 count to 3B Eugenio Suarez, Duran set a new fastest-pitch-of-2023 mark, with a 104.8 mph fastball (which Suarez grounded to short for out number two).  Duran then fanned Mike Ford on three pitches (the last at 104.0 mph) to end the inning and the game.

Variety is the Spice of Life

On July 21, Astros’ RF Kyle Tucker, batting in the three-hole, had his first career three-homer game – going three-for-four with four RBI as the Astros beat the A’s 6-4 (in Oakland). What caught The Roundtable attention was that he rapped those long ball off three different types of pitches.

• A solo homer in the first off an 0-1 fastball from JP Sears;
• A two-run shot in the fifth on a 2-1 slider (again from Sears);
• A solo shot in the seventh on a 1-1 change up from Taylor Scott.

The Century Mark

On July 21, Astros’ closer Ryan Pressley pitched a scoreless ninth inning, as the Astros bested the A’s 6-4 in Oakland.  It was Pressley’s 23^rd save of the 2023 season – and the 100^th of his career. Pressley, who had just eight saves (3.38) over his first seven seasons (362 appearances, 2013-19), has saved  101 games (2.84 ERA) in 184 appearance since 2020.

Give Me Five, Bro

On July 22, Braves’ 3B Austin Riley went 2-4, with a home run and three RBI, as the Braves lost to the Brewers 4-3 in Milwaukee. A home run in a loss, not such a big deal.  In this case, Riley’s homer marked his fifth straight game with a home run tying the Braves record of consecutive games with a long ball (Others: Rogers Hornsby; Hank Aaron; Chipper Jones; Ronald Acuna, Jr.; Joe Adcock; Brian McCann; Jeff Burroughs; Ozzie Virgil; Eddie Mille.)

Over that five-game stretch (July 18-22), Riley went 10-for-21 (.476), with six homers, one double, one triple, nine runs scored  and 16 RBI. The string was broken when Riley went zero-for-four versus the Brew Crew on July 23. Riley ended the month .274-24-64 on the season.

One-Two-Three and You’re Out at the Old Ball Game

July 25 saw the first triple play of the 2023 season. It was turned  by the Braves in the bottom of the third inning of a 7-1 loss to the Red Sox.

The inning opened with a single by Red Sox’ LF Masakata Yoshida and a walk to RF Adam Duvall (Charlie Morton was on the mound). Then Boston 1B Triston Casas hit a fly ball to Braves’ CF Mitchell Harris II for out number one.  Duvall, who misread the ball, was caught too far off first, with Harris throwing to 1B Matt Olson for out number two.  On that play, Yoshida attempted to move up to third and Olson threw across the diamond to Braves’ 3B Austin Riley, who tagged Yoshida for out number three – an 8-3-5 twin killing.

Happy Birthday, Mom

Phoenix-born Nolan Gorman – now the St, Louis Cardinals’ starting second baseman, returned home in late July, as the Cardinals faced the Diamondbacks. On July 26, Gorman’s mother celebrated her birthday (with a large group of family and friends) by watching her son take the field against the D-backs. (Reportedly, she had indicated she that seeing a home run from her son would be a great birthday gift.) Gorman gave her plenty to celebrate, going three-for-five, with three RBI and a pair of home runs (his 21^st and 22nd of the season).  As July came to a close, Gorman had a .241-22-65 on the season.

There’s Always a Shohei Show to Report

It’s only fitting that, in a two-game day, the Angels’ two-way player Shohei Ohtani would do something remarkable.

On July 27, in the first game of a doubleheader versus the Tigers (in Detroit), Ohtani pitched the first complete game of his MLB career – a  one-hit shutout (three walks/eight whiffs).  It ran his record on the season to 9-5, 3.43, with 156 strikeouts in 120 2/3 innings (20 starts). The Angels prevailed 6-0).

In Game Two of the  twin bill, Ohtani (appearing as the Angels’ DH) went two-for-three, rapping two home runs (37^th and 38^th of the season) and driving in three. The Angels won that one 11-4.

As usual, Ohtani’s feat continued his rewriting of the MLB record books:

• Ohtani became the first player to throw a shutout in one game of a doubleheader and hit two home runs in the other (Elias Sports Bureau).
• Ohtani became just the fifth player to throw a shutout and hit two-homers on the same day. (The other four all did it in one game: Milt Pappas, Orioles, August 27, 1961; Pedro Ramos, Indians, May 30, 1962; Rick Wise, Phillies, June 23, 1971; and Sonny Siebert, Red Sox, September 2, 1971. )

Take It Easy, Boys,  I Got This

On June 23, 1971, Phillies’ righty Rick Wise, tossed a no-hitter as the Phillies topped the Reds 4-0 in Cincinnati. Wise also knocked a pair of homers and drove in three of the Phillies four runs.  I might note:  No-hitting the Reds was no easy task.  The lineup featured the likes of RF Pete Rose; CF George Foster; C Johnny Bench; and 3B Tony Perez.

A Burger and (Big) Flies

On July 28, White Sox 3B Jake Burger went one-for-three as Chicago topped the Guardians 3-0 (in Chicago). The homer was Burger’s 25th of the season and it marked the third time this season Burger has homered in three straight games (July 26-28), May 14-17 and April 14-16).  The 27-year-old Burger finished July with a .214-25-52 line on the season.

Hop On, Boys, I’ll Carry You … or More #InBaseballWeCountEverything

On July 29, as the Dodgers topped the Reds 3-2 in LA, Dodgers’ 3B Max Muncy went two-for-three with two home runs (Muncy’s 26^th and 27^th long balls of the season). Muncy’s two home runs were the only Dodger hits of the game. According to the Elias Sport Bureau, the performance made Muncy the first Dodger (since RBI became an official stats 103 years ago) to record all of the Dodgers’ hits and RBIs in a victory (minimum two hits).

Verlander Hits the 250 Mark

On July 30, the Mets’ Justin Verlander picked up his sixth win of the season (against five losses). The forty-year-old righty went 5 1/3 innings, giving up five hits and one run (one walk/five whiffs) as the Mets bested the Nationals 5-2.  It was the 250^th career win (versus 138 losses) for the three-time Cy Young Award winner and 2006 Rookie of the Year.  Verlander now strands 49^th all-time in career MLB wins, 13^th in career strikeouts (3,279,  The nine-time All Star has led his league in wins four times, ERA once, complete games once, innings pitched four times and strikeouts five times.  It was apparently Verlander’s last outing as a Met, as it’s been reported that he has been was traded to the Astros.

 

Happy Birthday To Me

Pirates’ CF Josh Palacios, drafted (by the Blue Jays) in the fourth round of the 2916 MLB draft finally made his MLB debut in for the Blue Jays in 2021. Over the past three seasons (2021-23), he has played for Blue Jays, Nationals and Pirates.  On July 30 , he celebrated his 28^th birthday, with a game-winning , two-run walk off home run in the bottom of the tenth inning – giving his Pirates a 6-4 win over the Philllies. It was Palacios’ second career MLB long ball (in 86 games over three seasons).  (Palacios has played in seven minor-league seasons – going .294-34-254 in 478 games.)

——-Individual Statistical Leaders for July 2023———

AVERAGE (minimum 50 July at bats)
National League – Cody Bellinger, Cubs (.400); Wilmer Flores, Giants (.383); William Contreras, Brewers (.365)
American League – Jarren Duran, Red Sox (.384); Edouard Julien, Twins (.369); Corey Seager, Rangers (.365)

The lowest June average (among players with at least 50 at bats in the month) belonged to the Orioles’ Colton Cowser at .098 (5-for-51).

HOME RUNS
National League – Manny Machado, Padres (11); Max Muncy, Dodgers (9); Austin Riley, Braves (9)
American League – Shohei Ohtani, Angels (9); Jake Burger, White Sox (8); Isaac Paredes, Rays (8)

The Red Sox’ Tristan Casas had the highest July slugging percentage (at least 50 at bats) at .758. The NL leaders was the Rockies Randal Grichuk at .700.

HITS
National League – Cody Bellinger, Cubs (40); William Contreras, Brewers (35); Luis Arreaz, Marlins (34)
American League – Steven Kwan, Guardians (35), Bo Bichette, Blue Jays (34); Kyle Tucker, Astros (33)

RUNS BATTED IN
National League – Manny Machado, Padres (29); Cody Bellinger, Cubs (24); Nolan Arenado, Cardinals (23)
American League – Justin Turner, Red Sox (28); Chas McCormick, Astros (23); Kyle Tucker, Astros (23)

The Twins’ Edouard Julien led MLB (at least 50 July at bats) players in on-base percentage at .461. The NL leader was the Padres’ Ha-Seong Kim at .449. .

DOUBLES
National League – William Contreras, Brewers (10); Nolan Arenado, Cardinals (9); four with eight
American League – J.P. Crawford, Mariners (11); Jarren Duran, Red Sox (10); Luis Robert, Jr., White Sox (9)

TRIPLES
National League – Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks (3); Padres Jake Cronenworth (3); nine with two
American League – Drew Waters, Royals (3); Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals (3); 12 with two

The Astros’ Kyle Tucker, Royals’ Bobby Witt, Jr., Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado, Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman and Brewers’ Christian Yelich led all hitters with 15 extra-base hits in July.

STOLEN BASES
National League – CJ Abrams, Nationals (16); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (14); Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks (9)
American League – Will Castro, Twins (11); Andres Gimenez, Guardians (9); Jarren Duran, Red Sox (8)

The Nationals’ CJ Abrams was 16-for-16 in July steal attempts.

WALKS
National League – Juan Soto, Padres (23); Kyle Schwarber, Philllies (20); three with 18
American League – Shohei Ohtani, Angels (22); Matt Chapman, Blue Jays (20); J.P. Crawford, Mariners (17)

The Dodgers’ Mookie Betts led in walks/strikeouts ratio (among batters with at least 50 July plate appearances) at 1.64 … 18 walks versus 11 whiffs in 21 games.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS
National League – Elly De La Cruz, Reds (39); Christopher Morel, Cubs (37); Nick Castellanos, Phillies (35); Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (35)
American League – Josh Jung, Rangers (35); Eugenio Suarez, Mariners (35); Teoscar Hernandez, Mariners (35)

PITCHING VICTORIES
National League – Corbin Burnes, Brewers, (4-1); Joe Musgrove, Padres (4-1); Blake Snell, Padres (4-1); Justin Verlander, Mets (4-1)
American League – Logan Gilbert, Mariners (4-0); Clark Schmidt, Yankees (4-0); Logan Gilbert, Mariners (4-0)

Mitch Keller, Pirates (0-4, 6.28) and Alex Marsh, Royals (0-4, 6.16) led MLB in July losses.

____________________________________

Right Place Right Time & Vice Versa
Mets’ reliever Greg Hartwig went 3-0 – with a 6.76 ERA in July. Royals’ reliever Carlos Hernandez went 0-2 – with a 1.35 ERA.

_____________________________________________

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 20 July innings pitched))
National League – Blake Snell, Padres (0.56); Joe Musgrove, Padres (1.45); Justin Verlander (1.69)
American League – Mike Lorenzen, Tigers (1.14); Aaron Civale, Guardians (1.45); Tanner Bibee (1.78)

Among pitchers with at least four July starts or 15 innings, pitched the Yankees’ Luis Severino had the highest July ERA at 11.22 (27 earned runs in 21 2/3 innings in five starts).

The Rockies’ Peter Lambert threw the most July innings without giving up an earned run (14). In three June starts, Lambert pitched 14 innings and gave up no earned runs (eight hits, three walks, seven strikeouts).

STRIKEOUTS
National League – Spencer Strider, Braves (53 K / 31 1/3 IP); Corbin Burnes, Brewers (47 K / 39 IP); Blake Snell, Padres (42 K / 32 IP)
American League – Tyler Glasnow, Rays (51 K / 38 1/3 IP); Nick Pivetta (43 K / 28 1/3 IP); Joe Ryan, Twins (43 K / 25 1/3 IP

Among qualifying players, the Twins’ Joe Ryan had the highest strikeout per nine innings ratio for July at 15.28. The Braves’ Spencer Strider led the NL at 15.22.

SAVES
National League – Devin Williams, Brewers (10); Alexis Diaz, Reds (10); Adbert Alzolay, Cubs (8)
American League – Ryan Pressley, Astros (9); Felix Bautista, Orioles (8); Kenley Jansen, Red Sox (7); Paul Sewald, Mariners (7)

The Reds’ Alexis Alzolay had the most saves without a blown saves in July at ten.

WHIP (Walks + Hits per Inning Pitched – minimum 20 June innings)
National League – Corbin Burnes, Brewers (0.72); Christopher Sanchez, Phillies (0.75); Kodai Senga, Mets (0.86)
American League – Nick Pivetta, Red Sox (0.71); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (0.80); Aaron Civale, Guardians (0.80)

BONUS STATS
• The Mets’ Max Scherzer(now a Ranger) gave up an MLB-high ten home runs in July (over 31 innings).
• The most July innings pitched without giving up a single home run was 32 by the Padres’ Blake Snell.
• Among players with at least 20 June innings pitched, the Brewers’ Corbin Burnes held hitters to the lowest average (.115) – 15 hits in 39 innings.

_____________________________________________________

 

If the season ended July 31, your post-season teams would be:

American League:  Orioles, Twins, Rangers  Wild Cards: Rays, Astros, Blue Jays

National League: Braves, Reds, Dodgers   Wild Cards: Giants, Phillies (Tie: Diamondbacks, Marlins, Brewers)

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

 

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