Baseball Roundtable May Wrap Up … Stats, Stories, Roundtable Players/Pitchers of the Month, Trot Index and More

It’s June 1 and time for Baseball Roundtable’s 2023 monthly Wrap Up (for May)  – a look at Baseball Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month, the Trot Index, the May leaderboards and the stats and stories that caught Baseball Roundtable’s eye during the past month. And, there was plenty going on in May:

• Not one, but two, pitchers joining the 400-career-saves club;
• 2023’s second cycle (single-double-triple-homer in one game);
• One pitcher completing another kind of cycle, joining the “club” of hurlers with at least one  career win against each of the thirty MLB teams;
• The completion of a third kind of cycle, one player joining the “club” of hitters with at least one career home run against each of the thirty MLB teams;
• Two Immaculate Innings;
• Four more complete-game shutouts (Is this becoming a thing?);
• One player hitting .400 for the month;
• A 300th home run and a 2,000th strikeout (not by the same player nor in the same game);
• A 456-foot home run by a pitcher (Okay, it was Shohei Ohtani, but it still counts).

For these stories and more, read on.

BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE

PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THE MONTH … MAY 2023

National League

Player of the Month  – Freddie Freeman, 1B, Dodgers

The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman led all MLB players (with at least 75 May at bats) in average at  a nice round  .400.  In addition, he was first in MLB in May RBI with 26, runs scored with base hits with 46.  Freeman’s on-base percentage of .462 was third  MLB players with at least 75 May at bats and  hit .722 slugging percentage was second (first in the NL)x.   Freeman ended May with a still-active 20-game hitting streak streak, during which he has hit .457-5-21. Freeman had 16 multi-hit games in May.  Oh and Freeman stole four bases in four tries.  This was a pretty easy choice.  Freeman finished May at .346-10-35 on the season.

Honorable Mention:  You have to acknowledge the power surge of Marlins’ DH Jorge Soler, who  led the NL and tied for the MLB lead with 12 May home runs, to go with a .271 average and an MLB second-best 25 RBI.  From May 23 through May 27, Soler homered in five straight games, going  .391-5-8). He homered in 11 of his 25 games played  during the month.  Dodgers’ DH J.D. Martinez had a  nice month at .311-8-24.

Pitcher of the Month … (tie) Michael Wacha, RHP, Padres & Camilo Doval, RHP, Giants

Padres’ starter Michael Wacha went 3-0 in May in five starts.  More to the point, in 32 innings pitched, he gave up just three earned runs (a stingy 0.84 ERA – lowest among MLB pitchers with at least 25 May innings).  Wacha held hitters to a .147 May average and a 0.72 WHIP. Wacha’s best start was on May 21, when he went seven scoreless frames versus the Royals – giving up just one hit and one walk, while fanning 11.  Wacha finished May with a 5-1, 3.45 record on the season.

Have to also recognize a reliever here. The Giants’ Camilo Doval, appeared in 14 May games and notched 11 saves in 11 save opportunities. He put up a 1.32 ERA and fanned 23 batters (just four walks) in 13 2/3 innings.  Doval finished May  1-2, 2,19, with a NL-leading 14 saves on the season.

Honorable Mention: Merrill Kelly, RHP, Diamondbacks went 4-0, 2.59 in five May starts – fanning 39 (seven walks) in 31 1/3 innings.  The Giants’ Logan Webb went 3-0, 1.30 in five May starts, fanning 33 in 34 2/3 innings). In his two no-decisions, Webb gave up just one run over 13 innings.

American League

Player of the Month … Aaron Judge, RF, Yankees

The Yankee’s Aaron Judge led MLB (tied) in May home runs with 12 and in was second in RBI (first in the AL) with 25. Put this with his .342 average and 23 runs scored (tied for first in the AL) and you’ve got Player of the Month numbers. He also had a solid walks-to-strikeout ratio for a power hitter (20 walks, 25 whiffs), giving him a .474 on-base  percentage (tops among hitter with at least 75 May at bats). And he accomplished all this despite not playing his first May game until May 9 (hip injury).  Judge finished May with a .298-18-39  line on the season.

Honorable Mentions; Bo Bichette, SS, Blue Jays, led the AL with 42 May base hits (only Freddie Freeman and Bichette reached the 40-hit mark for May) – going .350-5-20, with 15 runs scored.  Great output for a middle infielder. The Guardians’  1B Josh Naylor tied Aaron Judge tor the AL-high May RBI, putting up a .293-5-25 month. The A’s CF Esteury Ruiz deserves a nod here for leading the majors in stolen bases in May – with 17. He he hit .282-1-13 for the month).

Pitcher of the Month – Nathan Eovaldi, RHP, Rangers

Texas’ Nathan Eovaldi was 4-0, in May with an AL-lowest (among pitchers with at least 25 May innings) earned run average of 0.96.  Eovaldi’s month included a one-run complete game and he went at least seven innings in four of his five starts.  He walked nine and fanned 31 in 37 2/3 May innings. Eovaldi finished May with a 7-2, 2.42 record on the season.

Honorable Mentions; The Rangers’ Jon Gray went 4-0, 1.95 in five May starts (Texas also won his no-decision start) – fanning 29 batters (with just six walks) in 32 1/3 innings pitched.  He went at eat seven innings in three of his five outings and gave up more than one earned run only once;.The Astros’ Christian Javier was 4-0, 2.40 in five starts.

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MLB Surprise Player of the month – Francisco Alvarez, C Mets

The Mets 21-year-old catcher  had  .292-7-17 month (22 games) – after hitting just .194 in 12 April Mets’ games and .167 in a five late-season 2022 contests (and .273 over 257 minor-league games in four seasons).  He enjoyed an eight-game hitting streak (May 16-28), during which he hit .400-5-13.

Honorable Mention: The Cubs’ 23-year-old CF Christopher Morel’s career seem to mushroom (sorry, couldn’t resist) after his May call up. In 19 May games, Morel hit .282-9-15.  His performance included homering in five straight games (May 17-23), when he hit .421-5-6. Now, surprise may be a strong word here – as Morel clearly earned his call up – going .330-11-31 in 29 2023 games with the Iowa Cubs.  Still, you can look back at his .235-16-47 in 113 Cubs (MLB) games in 2022 and rank his fast MLB start as, at least, somewhat unexpected.

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TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE

Through May 31  35.6 percent of the MLB season’s 63,553 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 (8.8%); home runs (3.1%); HBP (1.1%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Strikeouts, by the way, outnumbered base hits 14,423 – 1,4047.

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 Yankees gained a it of ground on the Rays by putting up May’s most victories  (19-10), despite getting just six wins from their starting pitchers. (The Yankees are awaiting the return of Carlos Rodon and Luis Severino to the rotation.) They powered their way to victory, leading MLB with 53 May home runs and finishing second in the AL in runs scored with 157.  The offense was led by:  RF Aaron Judge (.342-120-25 in May … see Player of the Month); 1B Anthony Rizzo (.327-6-19); 2B Gleyber Torres (.286-5-15); and CF Harrison Bader (.267-6-19). Rookie SS Anthony Volpe added six home runs and 16 RBI in May, despite a .174 average and 37 whiffs (five walks) in May.

Yankee ace Gerrit Cole  who went 5-0, 1.11 in April,slipped to 1-0, 5.18 in May. Reliever Clay Holmes led the Yankees in wins in May (3-1, 2.63 in 15 games … 13 2/3 innings). 

On the other end of the AL spectrum were the Oakland A’s , who won only six games in May (23 losses) and are on a pace for a 34-win season. The A’s put up  May’s worst team earned run average (5.54) and most runs surrendered, as well as MLB’s lowest batting average (.208) and second-fewest run scored.

In May, the A’s were outscored  165-to-87.

The AL’s biggest surprise in May may have been the Texas Rangers – who put up an 18-89 record and an AL-leading 168 runs scored.There simply seemed to be no weak spot in the Rangers’ lineup.  Consider this  infield: 1B Nathaniel Lowe (.297-1-12, with 20 runs scored); 2B Marcus Semien (.323-3-21, with 23 runs scored); SS Corey Seager (.291 with four home runs and 19 RBI in just 13 games);  3B Josh Jung  (.318-6-16, with 22 runs scored).  On the mound, the Rangers  were led by starters Nathan Eovaldi (4-0, 0.96) and Jon Gray (4-0, 1.95.).

In the NL  West, the Dodgers went 18-9 to claim the Division lead. And, like the Rangers in the AL, the offense led the way.  (Are we seeing a new trend here?) The Dodgers ERA of 4.61 was tenth in the NL, while their 173 May runs scored led all of MLB and their 49 home runs for the month trailed only the Yankees (53) and the Braves (51).  1B Freddie Freeman (see Player of the Month) led the way at .400-6-26), but he had plenty of help: DH J.D. Martinez (.311-8-24); C Will Smith (.318-5-17); RF Mookie Betts (.269-9-22). Overall, their lineup included seven players with four or more May homers and six with 15 or more May RBI.

Spreading Out the Load

Twelve Dodgers’pitches recorded wins in May (ony Tony Gonsolin … 3-1 in six starts had more than two) and and the team’s seven saves were divided among three relievers. 

The Diamondbacks came close to keeping pace with the Dodgers – going 17-10, as did the Giants at 17-12.   The Giants (2.39) and Diamondbacks (3.85) boasted the NL’s second – and third-best earned run average in May. The Padres, with MLB’s lowest May ERA – at just 3.20 – surprisingly, went 10-16. The did, however, score the NL’s sixth fewest runs (103).

Year-to-date (through May 31) standings ans further comments can be found at the end of this post.

——-Team  Statistical Leaders for May 2023 ———-

RUNS SCORED

National League – Dodgers (173); Cardinals (150); Braves (144)

American League – Rangers (168); Yankees (157); Rays (145)

The fewest  runs in May  were scored by the Pirates  – 85. The A’s tallied the fewest runs in the AL at 87. Others under 100 were the Brewers and Guardians (97 each).

AVERAGE

National League – Nationals (.275); Rockies (.271); Marlins (.268)

American League – Rangers (.286); Blue Jays (.274); Red Sox (.272)

The lowest team averages for May belonged to the A’s (.208) and Padres (.212).

HOME RUNS

National League – Braves (51); Dodgers (49); Cardinals (44)

American League –  Yankees (53); Rays (42); Angels (39)

The Guardians had the fewest home runs in May  at 16. The Pirates  were at the bottom of the NL at 19.

The Dodgers led MLB in slugging percentage for May at .487.  The Yankees led the AL at .463. 

The A’s had the lowest May slugging percentage – sounding like a broken record here – at .331.

STOLEN BASES

National League – Reds (28); Padres (27); Brewers (26)

American League – Rays (52); A’s (25): Blue Jays (23)

The Astros stole the fewest sacks in May  – just nine  in 14 attempts..   The Rockies were at the bottom of the NL with 13 in 17 attempts. 

WALKS DRAWN

National League –   Padres (120); Cubs (115); Dodgers (115)

American League  Twins (115): Tigers (106); Rays (103)

The Rangers led MLB  in on-base percentage for May  at .341. The Dodgers led the NL  at .340.  The A’s had MLB’s lowest  OBP for May at .287.  

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Cubs (2682; Giants (260); Reds (244)

American League – Twins (299); Athletics (264); Mariners (262)

Guardians  batters fanned the fewest times in May  (183).

 Bonus Stats

Dodgers’ batter racked up the most total bases in May at 473.  The Pirates were at the bottom of MLB at 303.

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Earned Run Average

National League – Padres (3.20); Giants (3.39); Diamondbacks (3.85)

American League –  Astros (3.09); Guardians (3.28); Twins (3.38)

The Athletics had the highest May ERA at 5.54.  The only other team over 5.00 was the Rockies at 5.13.

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Braves (276); Marlins (267); Dodgers (211)

American League –  Astros (272); Twins (267); Mariners (257)

The Astros averaged  an MLB-best 10.29 strikeouts per nine innings in May. The Marlins averaged an NL-best 9.96. Seven teams averaged 9.00 or better

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED

National League  – Phillies (75); Padres (78); Cubs (78)

American League – Mariners (54); Tigers (68); Guardians (72)

The Mariners walked an MLB-lowest 1.94 batter per nine innings in May .  The Royals walked an MLB-worst 4.60 batters per nine frames.

SAVES

National League – Giants (14); Reds (11); Nationals (10)

American League – Rays (112; Yankees (10); Guardians (9); Orioles (9)

Bonus Stats:

• The Athletics gave up an MLB-high 49 home runs in May  – The Padres gave up an MLB-low 21.
• The White Sox held opponent to an MLB-low .220 average in May; the Rockies staff was touched for an MLB-high .280 during the month.

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MAY 2023 HIGHLIGHTS

Sho-Time Again …  Make Room for Me, Babe

Okay, it seems like you can’t have a monthly wrap up without  a Shohei Ohtani story.  On May 3, Ohtani  fanned 13 batters (in five innings)  in the Angels’ 6-4 win over the Cardinal in St. Louis.  Ohtani gave up four earned runs in five innings and did not get the decision.  Still, history was made, as that 13^th strikeout (Cardinals’ 3B Nolan Arenado) to close out the fifth inning gave Ohtani 500 career MLB strikeouts – enabling him to join Babe Ruth as the only MLB players to accrue 500 career strikeouts as pitchers sand 100 or more home runs as hitters.

Good New Bad News

Good News. On May 3, Padres SS Xander Bogaerts came into a game against the Reds (in San Diego) with a season-opening  30-game streak of getting on base.   In the fifth inning, it looked like more good news, as Bogaerts – with Padres’ LF Juan Soto on first –  stroked an apparent single to right. Reds’ RF Stuart Fairchild dove for the ball, but did not make the catch – it short-hopped into his glove.

Now the bad news. Soto (who had walked) mistakenly thought the ball had been caught and headed back to first (where Bogaerts was already perched). Fairchild tossed to second for the force-out – negating the hit and resulting in a Fielder’s Choice (which does not extend an on-base streak). More bad news. Bogaerts ended the game zero-for-five – also ending his streak. Good news:  The Padre did win  7-1.

During his streak , Bogaerts went 34-for-112 (.304), with 15 walks and two hit by pitches.,

Rafael Devers and Number 150… or “Good Company”

On May 4, as the Red Sox topped the Blue Jays  in Boston 11-5, Boston 3B Rafael Devers hit his 11^th home run of the season (appropriately off Zach Pop).  The two-run shot came in the bottom of the eighth inning.  It was the 150^th round tripper of Devers’ career (2017-2023 … all with the Red Sox.) In another #InBaseballWeCountEverything moment, it was noted that Devers hit the long ball in his 721st Red Sox contest – making him the third-fastest to 150 in Red Sox history (Ted Williams – 664 games; Jim Rice -711).

2023’s First Immaculate Inning

On Thursday, May 4, the Pirates’ Colin Holderman threw 2023’s first Immaculate Inning (nine-pitches, three strikeouts). Holderman came on in the bottom of the seventh with the Pirates trailing the Rays 2-0. He fanned the Rays 6-7-8 hitters  2B Taylor Walls, RF Luke Raley and C Christian Bethancourt) in order one nine pitches. Through May,  Holderman was 0-1, 2.18, with 26 strikeouts in 20 2/3 innings.

Tee (off) for Two

On May 5, Fernando Tatis, Jr. – playing RF and leading off for the Padres (against the Dodgers) had a big night – two-homers, two runs scored and three RBI as the Padres won 5-2. It was Tatis ninth multi-homer game – coming in his fourth MLB season. So, why is it mentioned in the highlights? Because both long balls came off Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw – making Tatis the first player with two multi-homer games against Kershaw (now in his sixteenth MLB season).

Goldy is Gold

On May 7, Cardinal first baseman Paul Goldschmidt banged out three home runs and  a single, as the Cardinals topped the Tigers in St. Louis. Goldschmidt’s three-homer day was his  third career three-homer contest and the first for the Redbirds since September 3, 2006 (Albert Pujols).  Goldschmidt’s homers came in the:

• First inning off Alex Faedo;
• Third inning, again off Faedo.
• Eighth inning off Tyler Holton.

The 400 Club Adds Two New Members … or Save The Last Out for Me

On May 10, Kenley Jansen became just the seventh MLB pitcher to record 400 saves, as he pitched a scoreless ninth inning in the Red Sox 5-2 win over the Braves in Atlanta. It was his ninth save of the season (and ninth for Boston). Now in his 14^th MLB season, the breakout for Jansen’s  first 400 saves is Dodgers (350 in 12 seasons); Braves (41 in one season) and Red Sox (9).  Jansen has four seasons of 41+ saves on is MLB resume and four more of 30+ saves.

On May 26, the 400-Save Club added an eighth member, when the Philllies’ Craig Kimbrel  tossed a scoreless ninth as the Phillies topped the Braves 6-4 in Atlanta.  Kimbrel, like Jansen, notched save 400 in his 14th MLB season.  His save breakout: Braves (186 in five seasons); Red Sox (108 in three seasons); Padres (39 in one season); Dodgers (22 in one season); Cubs (38 in three seasons); Phillies (six in one season); White Sox (one in one season).  Kimbrel has notched eight seasons of 30+ saves (five of more than 40), with a high of 50 saves in 2013. The eight-time All Star was the 2011 NL Rookie of The Year, when he led the NL with 46 saves and set the record for rookie-season saves.  He led the NL in saves four straight seasons (2011-14) – averaging 46 saves a season in that span.

Other with 400 or more saves include: Mariano Rivera (652); Trevor Hoffman (601); Lee Smith (478); Francisco Rodriguez (437); John Franco (424); and Billy Wagner (422).

Cedric for the Cycle

On May 12, Orioles’ CF and leadoff hitter Cedric Mullins hit for the 2023 MLB seasons’  second cycle, as the O’s  topped the Pirates 6-3 in Baltimore.  Mullins who came into the game hitting .248 with four home runs on the season , flied out to CF in the first; singled in the third; tripled in the fifth; doubled home a run in the seventh; and completed the cycle with a three-run  home run in the eighth.

30-30 Vision

On May 10, The Mets’ Justin Verlander  pitched seven two-hit, one-run innings (fanning seven), as the Mets topped the Reds 2-1 in Cincinnati, Verlander got the win (his first of 2023) and, in the process, became the 21^st pitcher to pick up a victory against all 30 current MLB franchises. For those who like to know such things, the first hurler to record victories against all 30 teams was also a Met – Al Leiter, who became first on this list with a win against the Diamondbacks on April 30, 2002.

On May 22, we saw another “thirty-team” landmark.  Astros’ catcher Martin Maldonado hit his third home run of the season – as the Astros beat the Brewers 12-2 in Milwaukee.  That blast made Maldonado the 69^th MLB player to homer against all 30 MLB teams. It was Maldonado’s 99^th career round tripper (in 13 MLB seasons), which (according to the Elias Sport Bureau) made him just the fourth player to homer against all 30 teams before collecting his 100^th round tripper (joining Jose Guillen, Orlando Hudson, Stephen Drew).

We Do Love Round Numbers in Baseball

On May 13,  in the bottom of the fifth inning, Royals’ starter Zack Greinke fanned Brewers’ rookies Brice Turang and Joey Wiemer.  In the vein of #InBaseballWeCountEverything, we know that (with those two whiffs) Greinke became just the  fifth MLB pitcher to fan 1,000 different batters.   The others comprise a pretty impressive list: Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, and Roger Clemens.

Unlucky Number 13

Over their first 39 games of 2023, the Marlins were  involved in 12 one-run contests – and they won them all … setting a new AL/NL record for consecutive wins in games decided by a single tally. The streak was broken on May 13, in their 13^th one-run contest of the season, as the Marlins lost to the Reds 6-5 in Miami. Miami’s early run of one-run victories is even more surprising, considering the team was an MLB-worst 24-40 in one -run games last season.

Shohei-time AGAIN

On May 15, Shohei Ohtani went seven innings in a 9-5 win over the Orioles in Baltimore.  It wasn’t his best mound outing. He gave up five runs over the seven frames. He did, however, get the win – running his record to 5-1 on the season.

He did a bit better at the plate – stroking  four hits (including a triple and a home run) and collecting a walk in six plate appearances.  The homer, by the way, was not a cheap one – measured at 456 feet by Statcast. For more of #InBaseballWeCountEverything, Ohtani was the first starting pitcher to reach base safely five times in a game since Mel Stottlemyre in September of  1964,

Way To Go Rook

On September 26, 1964, Yankees’ rookie Mel Stottlemyre started against the Senators in Washington D.C.  Stottlemyre pitched a two-hit shutout (five walks, five whiffs), running his record to 9-2, 1.97. As if the complete-game shutout wasn’t enough, Stottlemyre went five-for-five (four singles and a double) at the plate, scoring once and driving in two.  The 22-year-old finished his rookie season with a 9-3, 2.06 record in 13 games (he made his MLB debut in mid-August). At the plate, he hit .243 in 37 at bats.

Over the next six seasons, Stottlemyre was an All Star five times, going 103-83, 2.94, winning 20 or more games in three of those seasons. In an 11-season MLB career, he was 164-139, 2.97.

Another Round Number

On May 17, the Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado notched his 1,000th career RBI, as the Redbirds topped the Brewers 3-0 in St. Louis. The 1,000th RBI came on an infield single off Corbin Burnes in the bottom of the first inning (scoring DH Paul Goldschmidt). As May 2023 closed out, Arenado – in his 11th MLB season, had a career offensive stat line of  .288-308-1,004    – as well as ten  consecutive Gold Gloves – to his credit.

More #InBaseballWeCountEverything

In his last plate appearance on May 16 (ninth inning of a 7-2 loss to the Astros in Houston), Cubs’ RF Seiya Suzuki launched a 2-0 pitch from Matt Gage to deep left for a two-run home run.  Then, in his first two plate appearances the following day (in a 7-6 loss to the Astros), Suzuki hit a solo homer off J.P. France and a two-run shot (again off France).  So, why is this in the highlights? Elias Sports Bureau reports that Suzuki is the first Japanese born player to homer in three consecutive MLB plate appearances. Suzuki who hit .262-14-46 for the Cubs last season was .293-6-19 in 2023 (through May 31).  Suzuki signed with the Cubs  (five years – $85 million) in March 2022 after nine seasons in Japan – over which he hit .309-189-621, with 102 steals in 1,055 games. In 2021 he it .317, with 38 homers in 134 games for the Hiroshima Carp.

Lucky Seven

On May 18, off to a difficult start to the season, the last-place (18-36) Cardinals knocked off the first place (28-16) Dodgers 16-8. They tallied those 16 runs on just 12 hits, including seven home runs (their most long balls in a home game since May 7, 1940).

The Cardinals popped four home runs a six-run third inning: C Wilson Contreras (three-run); PH Juan Yepez (solo), 3B Nolan Gorman(solo); SS Paul DeJong (solo) – the last three back-to-back-to back.  DH Nolan Arenado added a two-run shot in the three-run fourth and,  in the seven-run eighth, Contreras added a second three-run homer and Gorman a second solo shot.

On May 26, the Pirates also enjoyed a win fueled by seven round trippers, as they bested the Mariners 11-6 in Seattle.  DH Andrew McCutchen set the tone, leading off the top of the first with a home run off George Kirby on just the second pitch of the game. 1B  Carlos Santana led off the fourth with a solo short (also off Kirby). Kirby then gave up back-to-back long balls to CF Jack Suwinski (two-run) and 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes in the fifth. Suwinski added a solo shot (off Juan Then) in the seventh and Tucupita Marcano also had a solo homer that inning.  LF  Bryan Reynolds got into the act in the eighth, with a solo homer off Chris Flexen.  It was MLB’s third seven-homer game of 2023. (The Giants poked seven round trippers in a 12-3 win over the White Sox on April 3.

On May 28, the Astros banged out seven home runs in beating the A’s 10-1 in Oakland. All ten of the Astros runs scored via the long ball. DH Yordan Alvarez had a solo homer in the first inning; CF Jake Meyers hit a three-run shot in the third.  RF Chas McCormick and 2B Jose Altuve went back-to-back with solo shots in the seventh; 1B Jose Abreu had a solo homer in the eighth; and SS Jeremy Pena (two-run) and Alvarez went back-to-back in the ninth.

A Grand (Slam) Celebration (sort of)

On May 18, as is Dodgers lost to the Cardinals 16-8, LA’s 1B Freddie Freeman notched his 300^th career home run (albeit in a losing causes) – a grand slam in the top of the sixth off Genesis Cabrera. It was Freeman’s eight round tripper of 2023.

Ruben Sierra (2004 Yankees) and Freddie  Freeman (2023 Dodges) are the only MLB players (to date) to celebrate their 300^th career homer with a Grand Slam.

More  Shutouts on the Books

May saw four more complete-game shutouts – bringing the 2023 season total to nine.  I note that here because in 2022, we saw only three complete-game shutouts through May and 16 over the entire season.

On May 8, The Pirates’ Mitch Keller shut out the Rockies (2-0) in Pittsburgh. Keller gave up four hits and a walk, while fanning eight.  He threw 103 pitches, 77 for strikes. It was Keller’s first career complete game in 78 starts (over five seasons).

On May 12, the Blue Jays’ Chris Bassitt went nine scoreless frames, as his Blue Jays topped the Braves 3-0 in Toronto. Bassitt gave up just two hits and two walks (eight strikeouts) in the outing – tossing 103 pitches (70 for strikes). It was Bassitt’s second career complete game (and second career shutout) – in 132 starts over nine seasons.

On May 21, the Astros’ Framer Valdez tossed the eighth  complete-game shutout of 2023 – shutting down the Oakland A’s by a 2-0 score – giving up just four hits (no walks), while fanning seven. It was Valdez’ fifth complete game and second shutout over 86 starts in six seasons.  Valdez threw 104 p[itches, 64 strikes.

On May 29,  the Cubs’ Marcus Stroman picked up his fifth win of the season (versus) four losses, tossing a complete-game, one-hit, one-walk, eight-whiff shutout. It was just the second complete-game and first shutout for Stroman – now in his ninth MLB season.  Stroman threw 105 pitches (72 strikes).

1,000 and Counting

On May 22, Mariners starter Luis Castillo  picked up a win, going six scoreless innings (four hits, two walks, eight strikeouts)  in a Mariners’ 11-2 win over the A’s. Notably, his fifth strikeout of the game – A’s  C Shea Langeliers leading off the fifth inning – marked the 1,000 strikeout of Castillo’s MLB career (he’s in his seventh season.)  Castillo finished May 4-2, 2.69 with 76 whiffs in 63 2/3 innings on the season.

Good Company or Three is not a Crowd

On May 23,  Yankees’ starter Gerrit Cole had a rough night – getting touched for five runs in five-plus innings. (Cole was pulled with no outs and two on in the sixth.) The Bronx Bombers did come back to win 6-5 in ten frames. Cole did reach a milestone though, fanning the Orioles’ Jorge Mateo in the second inning for his (Cole’s)  70^th whiff of the season and 2,000^th  career strikeout. Only Randy Johnson and Clayton Kershaw (pretty good company) reached 2,000 strikeouts in fewer games than Cole’s 278 (Johnson -262 … Kershaw 277). Cole also secured third place in terms of fewest innings pitched to reach 2,000 strikeouts (1,714 2/3), trailing Chris Sale (1,626) and Pedro Martinez (1,711 2/3). C

Moving in a Fast Crowd

On May 25, Twins’ reliever Jhoan Duran threw three pitches at 104 mph+, as he closed out the Twins’ 7-1 win versus the Giants in Minnesota.  They were the first three pitches over 104 mph of the 2023 season (the fastest was 104.6 mph).  The outing enabled Duran to climb up the career list of pitchers with pitches over 104 mph (there are only eight). Ahead of Duran are only Aroldis Chapman (with 67 104-mph+ pitches) and Jordan Hicks (12).

Another Immaculate Outings (inning)

On May 24, Pirate Johan Oviedo threw the second Immaculate Inning (nine pitches/three strikeouts)  of the month, fanning the Rangers’ Jonah Heim, Robbie Grossman and Josh Smith consecutively on nine pitches.  It came in the fourth inning of a 3-2 loss to the Rangers in Pittsburgh.

Somebody’s Got To Be First

On May 26, as the Nationals  faced the Royals in Kansas City, 2B Luis Garcia came into the game hitting .262 on the season. Over the course of the contest, he raised his average to .288 – as he picked up the 2023 season’s first six-hit contest – collecting four singles and two doubles, driving in two runs and scoring three.  The Nationals needed all that punch, as they edged the Royals 12-10.  As noted, it was the first six-hit game of 2023 and just the third six-hit contest in Nationals/Expos franchise history. For those who like to know such things, Wilbert Robinson and Rennie Stennett share the record for the most hits in a nine-inning game with seven.)

The Nationals’  Luis Garcia is the second youngest MLB player to collect six hits in a game (at 23 ear-10 days-old).  The youngest is Jesus Alou (1964 Giants) at 22-years-108 days). 

Getting Off to a Fast Start

Angels’ rookie righty Ben Joyce, on May 29, made his major-league debut against the White Sox in Chicago.  The 22-year-old – called up form Double-A the day before – came  on to start the seventh inning with the Angels up 4-3.  He dispatched the White Sox on 12 pitches (10 strikes), giving up a single and fanning two.  Why a fast start? Eleven of  Joyce’s 12 offerings were 100+ mph.  In two minor-league seasons, the 2022 third-round draft choice (out of the University of Tennessee), had gone 1-1, 3.45 with 44 strikeouts (17 walks) in 28 2/3 innings.

A Feel Good Story in Chicago

On May 29, righty Liam Hendriks – who saved 75 games for the White Sox over the 2021-22 seasons – made his first mound appearance of 2023.  He came on in he top of the eighth with the Angels leading the hometown White Sox 4-3.  It was a bit of a rough inning – Hendriks gave up two runs on three hits and a walk. It was, however, still a good day. It was Hendriks’ first major-league mound appearance since being diagnosed with (and treated for) stage four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma last December.   Hendriks entered the game to a standing ovation and chants of “Liam! Liam!” – (as wells with players in both dugouts standing to applaud his comeback).  Throughout his appearance fans took every opportunity to show their appreciation for Hendriks perseverance and courage.

 

——-Individual Statistical Leaders for May  2023———

AVERAGE (at least 75 May at bats)

National League – Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (.400); Owen Miller, Brewers (.363); Lourdes Gurriel,  Jr., Diamondbacks (.352)

American League –  Leody Taveras, Rangers (.368); Riley Greene, Tigers (.365); Masataka Yoshida, Red Sox (.354)

The lowest May average (among players with at least 50 at bats in the month)  belonged to the Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber  at .115 (10-for-87). Schwarber did have seven homers and 15 RBI during the month.,

HOME RUNS

National League – Jorge Soler, Marlins (12); Pete Alonso, Mets (10); four with nine

American League – Aaron Judge, Yankees (12); Salvador Perez, Royals (9); four with eight

The Yankees’ Aaron Judge  had the highest May  slugging percentage (among players with at least 75 at bats) at .882.  The NL leader was the Dodgers Freddie Freeman  at .722.

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (26); Jorge Soler, Marlins (25); J.D. Martinez, Dodgers (24)

American League –  Aaron Judge, Yankees (25); Josh Naylor,Guardians (25); Anthony Santander,Orioles (22)

HITS

National League – Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (46); Lane Thomas, Nationals (36); Spencer Steer, Reds (32); Joey Meneses, Nationals (35)

American League –  Bo Bichette, Blue Jays (42); Marcus Semien, Rangers (37); Riley Greene, Tigers (35); Leody Taveras, Rangers (35)

The Padres’ Juan Soto led MLB players (with at bats 75 May at bats)  in on-base percentage at .482. The AL  leader was the Yankees’ Aaron Judge at .474)..

DOUBLES

National League –  Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (17); Juan Soto, Padres (11); five with nine

American League – Alex Verdugo, Red Sox (10); Andrew Benintendi, White Sox (10); five with nine

TRIPLES

National League – Brandon Nimmo, Mets (4); televen with two

American League – Seven with two.

The Dodgers’ Freddie Freeman had an MLB-high 24 extra-base hit in May.  The Yankees’ Aaron Judge  and White Sox’ Luis Robert shared the AL lead at 17.

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (10); Starling Marte, Mets (7); Christian Yelich, Brewers (7)

American League – Esteury Ruiz, A’s (17); Wander Franco, Rays (14); three with ten

The Rays’ Taylor Walls  had the most May steals without getting caught, with ten.

WALKS

National League – Juan Soto, Padres (25); Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (22); Matt Olson, Braves (21)

American League –  Adley Rutschman, Orioles (21); Randy Arozarena, Rays (20); Aaron Judge Yankees (20); Zach McKinstry, Tigers (20)

The Dodgers’ Will Smith led MLB players (with at least 75 May at bats) in walks-to-strikeouts ratio at 1.80 (18 May walks to 10 May whiffs). 

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (35); Jack Suwinski, Pirates (35); four with 34

American League – Teoscar Hernandez, Mariners (40); Jarred Kalenic, Mariners (39; )Brent Rooker, A’s (38)

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League – Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks (4-0); Mitch Keller,Pirates (401); Ian Gibaut, Reds (4-1)

American League – Jon Gray, Rangers (4-0); Cristian Javier, Astros (4-0); Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers (4-0); Zach Eflin, Rays  (4-1); Lance Lynn, White Sox (4-2)

Alex Manoah, Blue Jays, led MLB in May losses (0-5, 6.15).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (at least 25 May innings))

National League –  Michael Wacha, Padres (0.84); Logan Webb, Giants (1.30); Bryce Elder, Braves (1.72)

American League – Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers (0.96); Jon Gray, Rangers (1.95); Mike Lorenzen, Tigers (1.95)

Among pitchers with at least four May starts or 20  innings pitched, the Orioles’ Grayson Rodriguez had the highest ERA at 11.14 …  26 earned runs in 21 innings pitched in five starts.

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Spencer Strider, Braves (57 K / 33 2/3 IP); Mitch Keller, Pirates  (53 K / 39 IP); Hunter Greene, Reds (40 K/ 28 IP);

American League – Shohei Ohtani, Angels (44 K / 31 IP); Michael Kopech, White Sox (43 K / 36 IP); Hunter Brown, Astros (42 K / 32 IP)

Among players with at least 25 May innings, the Braves Spencer Striker had the highest strikeouts- to-walks ration at 15.24. the Angels’  Shohei Ohtani led the AL at 12.77.

SAVES

National League – Camilo Doval, Giants (11);  Alexis Diaz Reds (9); Pierce Johnson, Rockies (8)

American League – Emmanuel Clase, Guardians (8); fie with seven

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

National League – Michael Wacha, Padres (0.72); Mitch Keller, Pirates (0.82); Merrill Kelly, Diamondbacks (0.83)

American League – Bryce Miller, Mariners (0.75); Chris Sale, Red Sox (0.81); Zack Greinke, Royals (0.83)

BONUS STAT

• The Orioles’ Grayson Rodriguez gave up an MLB-high 11 home runs in May (over 21 innings).
• The Diamondbacks’ Zac Gallen  pitched the most May innings without surrendering a home run … 35.

____________________________________________

If the MLB season ended May 31, your playoff teams would be:

National League 

Dodgers, Braves, Brewers: Wild Cards: Diamondbacks, Marlins, Mets

American League

Rays, Rangers Twins: Wild Cards: Orioles, Yankees, Astros

A few Observations:

• The young Orioles’ squad continues to surprise  (14 games over .500), but they are going to miss Cedric Mullins (groin strain).
• Who will wake up in the AL Central Division? Only one team — the Twins – is over .500.
• Through May, the A’s have a minus-195 run differential (worst in MLB), The Rangers strand at the top with a +131.  The only other team with a 100-run differential (plus or minus) is the Rays at +119.
• How would you like to play in the AL East?  The Red Sox with a 28-27 record stand in last place  10 1/2 games out.
• Through May, no team has won more one-run games than the Miami Marlins (16-4 in one-run contests); the Guardians have lost the most one-run games (11-14).
• The Rays are a remarkable 26-6 at home through May.  The Athletics are an equally remarkable 7-24 at home.
• The Orioles and and Braves have the best road winning percentages at .667 (18-9).

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

 

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