It’s September 1, and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s August Wrap Up – a look at August statistics and stories that caught BB Roundtable’s eye; leader boards for the month and Year-to-Date: BBRT’s Players and Pitchers of the Month; and the monthly Trot Index.

Here’s a hint at the kind of things you’ll read about – if you make it to the end of this post.

• A player tying the MLB record for doubles in a game – and doing it in a seven-inning contest.
• Another “Cycle” and another “Immaculate Inning.”
• A rookie tossing a no-hitter in his first start.
• A player hitting three Grand Slams in a span of 19 plate appearances.
• A rookie ending the month with a still-active streak of getting on base in 31-straight games.
• One team recording a 13-game winning streak; another a 19-game losing streak.
• Miguel Cabrera’s 500th home run, Joey Votto’s 2000th hit and  Aroldis Chapman’as 300th save.
• Shohei Ohtani’s 42nd home run; eighth mound victory; 22nd stolen base; and first stela of home. 

For all this and more, read on.

—–BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THE MONTH – AUGUST 2021—–

National League Player of the Month  (thought August 30) … C.J. Cron, 1B, Rockies.    

Photo: KA Sports Photos from Hanover, MD, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Cron’s 34 August RBI led all of MLB, his .387 average led all MLB players with at least 75 August at bats and his 11 August home runs led the National League. Overall, he put up a .387-11-34 line with 36 hits, 18 runs scored and a .463 on-base percentage in 26 games. He had 12 multi-hit games and  eight multi-RBI games – including a two-home, seven-RBI game against the Marlins on August 8.

Honorable Mentions: Can’t overlook Phillies’ RF Bryce Harper (.337-10-25) and Atlanta’s 3B Austin Riley (.359-6-18), whose 37 August hits led the NL.  Paul Goldschmidt also had a solid month at .350-5-24, with 16 runs scored and four steals.

National League Pitcher of the Month … Adam Wainwright, RHP. Cardinals

Photo: Ken Lund from Reno, Nevada, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Apparently life can being at (or just before )40.  The veteran Wainwright, who  turned 40 on August 30, was the only National Leaguer to notch five wins in August.  Wainwright went 5-1, with a 1.43 ERA over the month. That 1.43 ERA was the fourth-best in the National League among pitchers with at least 20 August innings. You’ll see in the honorable mentions that there were a handful of very worthy candidates for this August recognition, but Wainwright gets the nod on the basis of his MLB-leading 44 innings pitched (averaging just over seven innings per start) and 0.80 WHIP (lowest in the NL among pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched). In his six August starts, he  pitched under seven innings just once (that was a six-inning , two-run stint against the Brewers on August 17, when he was lifted for a pinch hitter with the Cardinal trailing 2-0). He threw a complete-game, two-hit shutout against the Pirates on August 11.  Wainwright fanned 36 batters in his 44 August innings.

Honorable Mentions: A pair of Max(es) put up recognition numbers in August. Max Scherzer came over to the Dodgers from the Nationals on July 30 and went 4-0, 1.55, with 41 whiffs in 29 innings; while the Braves’ Max Fried went 4-0, 1.36 in five August starts (one a complete-game shutout) with 28 strikeouts in 33 innings.  I’ll also give a nod to the Padres’ Blake Snell, who went 3-1. with a 1.72 ERA and whose 54 August strikeouts led MLB.

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American League Player of the Month … Salvador Perez, C, Royals

Photo: Arturo Pardavila III from Hoboken, NJ, USA, CC BY 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

While Perez hit  only .268 for the month, he led all of MLB with 12 home  runs and his 28 RBI were  second only to C.J. Cron of the NL Rockies.  A lucky thirteen of his 26 August hits went for extra bases. From August 25 through August 29, Perez homered in five straight games – going .381-5-13 in that span. The five-time Gold Glover behind the plate  finished August with 38 home runs and 94 RBI on the season.

Honorable Mentions: Indians’ SS Amed Rosario deserve a shout out for his 42 August hits (26 games), which led MLB. He put up a .372-4-20 line for the month. Oakland CF Starling Marte was right behind Rosario with 41 August hits (.363) in 26 games.  Marte also led MLB with 19 stolen bases (in 19 attempts) for the month. White Sox’ 1B Jose Abreu put it all together in August, going .330-10-25 and scoring 22 runs. Finally, Rays’ SS Wander Franco went .313-3-18, with an MLB-leading 26 runs scored. Notably, he was on base in everyone of his 25 August games (hit, walk or hit by pith.)  More on that in the Highlights section.

American League Pitcher of the Month … Tie: Marco Gonzalez, LHP Mariners & Robbie Ray, Blue Jays

Gonzalez was a workhorse for the Mariners in August, going 3-0, with a 1.58 ERA and pitching the AL’s second-most August innings (40). While he fanned only 27 batters, he walked just six and his  0.80 WHIP was the third-best among AL pitchers with at least 20 innings pitched. Gonzalez is a bit of a surprise here (and the surprise factor may have swayed my selection). He came into August at 3-5, with a 5.48 ERA (13 starts). His August surge included a complete-game, two-hit shutout of the Rangers on August 12.

Ray was perhaps even more effective for the Blue Jays – but with less reward.  He threw 41 innings in six starts (leading the AL in innings pitched). He also led the AL in strikeouts with 52 (one of only three MLB pitchers with 50 or more whiffs this August). In addition, he logged and impressive 0.85 WHIP, gave up just one home run and held opposing hitters to a .188 average.  Yet, he got just one win (five no-decisions). In his five no-decisions, the Blue Jays scored a total of nine runs (Ray did not give up more than two runs in any August start.) 

Honorable Mentions: The White Sox’ Dylan Cease went 4-0, 2.83 in six August starts and had MLB’s third-highest August strikeout total, with 50 strikeouts in 35 innings,  Cease fanned 10 or more batters in three of his six starts .The Rays’ Shane McClanahan went 5-0  in five August starts (more on  McLanahan in the “Surprise Player” section.) The Indians’ Tristin McKenzie pitched 28 August innings (four starts, two wins, one loss and a 1.93 ERA) and delivered a 0.50 WHIP, holding batters to a .126 average.  That WHIP and average were the lowest in August for any pitcher with at least 20 innings pitched.

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Surprise Player of the Month …. Tie: Shane McClanahan, LHP, Rays and Frank Schwindel, 1B, Cubs

Schwindel Photo: Desposito122, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

Rays’ 24-year-old rookie southpaw Shane McClanahan (in just his third professional season) came into August with a 4-4, 3.93 record.  The rookie got five starts in August, won all five and put up a 2.76 ERA with 33 strikeouts in 29 1/3 innings. (Word of caution, he had three August starts against the Orioles). Still, 5-0 from a rookie – even if he was a first round draft choice (2018)  – is a pleasant surprise.

When the Cubs picked up 29-year-old 1B Frank Schwindel on waivers from the A’s on July 18, he had 35 MLB at bats, with just four this  (.114 average), one home run and three RBI.  Yet, he was soon in line to replace Cubs’ star Anthony Rizzo, traded to the  Yankees  just 11 days later. In August, Schwindel hit a robust .344, with five home runs, 18 RBI and 16 runs scored. Schwindel hit safety in 22 of 26 August games, with multiple hits in ten of them.  Side note: Schwindel had a .286-135-548 line in eight minor-league seasons and hit .296-17-49 in 54 games at Triple A this season. 

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TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BBRT FEATURE

Through August 2021, 36.6 percent of the MLB season’s 148,181 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 (23.4%); walks (8.7%); home runs (3.2%); HBP (1.2%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Personally, I’d like more action in the field of play.

Now, to provide a little context (a more detailed post on this topic coming soon). Here are a few selected annual Trot Index scores since I began watching baseball in earnest:  1950  – 22.8 %; 1960 – 25.1%; 1970 – 27.0%; 1980 – 23.1%; 1990 – 26.1%; 2000 – 29.9%; 2010 – 30.3%; 2021 – 36.6%.

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Now for a look at how team performed in August. 

The overall standings did not change a lot, but there was some movement of note.  (You’ll find full year-to-date standings near the end of this post.)  Notably, the Mets’ 19-loss August dropped them from first place (as of July 31) to third in the NL East. The Yankees’ 21-win month, moved them past the Red Sox into second place in the AL East.  However, they actually lost ground on the first-place Rays. And, while the Dodgers’ 21-wins didn’t move them past the Giants (who won 19), they cut the lead from three games to just 1/2-game.

Three teams played .700+ ball in August – Rays (21-6), Dodgers (21-6) and Yankees (21-8).  While we’ve come to expect the Rays to “get it done” with pitching, their August ERA placed tenth in the AL, while their 182 runs scored were first in MLB.  Still they handled their staff well enough to win – using nine different starters and getting saves from seven different pitchers. (And, of course, they had Shane McClanahan, who started five games and won them all – 2.76 ERA). The offensive leaders were 2B Brandon Lowe (.262-9-26); SS Wander Franco (.313-3-19, with 26 runs scored); and RF Randy Arozarena (.362-4-11, with 15 runs scored. The veteran presence of newcomer Nelson Cruz (five homers, 18 RBI) was also felt.

The Yankees must feel frustrated having gained no ground on the Rays.  New York had the AL’s lowest August ERA and second-most runs scored. They did it with a bit of star power and a solid bullpen. The Yankees scored 154 August runs and nearly a third of them were driven in by Aaron Judge (.345-8-26) and Giancarlo Stanton (.327-9-25). On the mound, Gerrit Cole went 3-0, 0.51 in three starts and the Bombers got three saves each from Aroldis Chapman, Chad Green and Wandy Peralta.

The Dodgers’ pitching fueled their 21-win month. Their 2.25 August ERA was far and away MLB’s best; while their 129 runs were sixth in the NL. Max Scherzer went 4-0, 1,55 in five starts; Julio Arias 3-0, 1.38 in five starts; and Walker Buehler 2-1, 1,56 in six starts. Kenley Jansen picked up a win and eight saves (in eight opportunities)  and Blake Treinen was 3-0, 1.23, with two saves in 14 appearances out of the pen. On offense, LF AJ Pollock, C Will Smith, 1B Max Muncy and SS Corey Seager each had 14 or more August RBI and Muncy, 3B Trea Turner and SS Corey Seager each scored 17 or more  August runs.

——-Team Statistical Leaders for August———

RUNS SCORED

National League – Reds (142); Phillies (142); Rockies (141)

American League – Rays (182); Yankees (154); Red Sox (147); White Sox (147)

Three teams scored fewer than 100 runs in August: Pirates (92); Met’s (95); Tigers (95).  

BATTING AVERAGE

National League – Rockies (.266); Cardinals (.262); Brewers (.256)

American League – Astros (.270); Red Sox (267); Indians (.261)

The lowest August team average belonged to the Pirates  at .217. Lowest in the AL were the Angels at .229.

HOME RUNS

National League – Reds (46); Braves (43); Giants (43); Rockies (43)

American League –  White Sox (47); Rays (44); Red Sox (43)

The Pirates had the fewest August home runs at 17.  Lowest in the AL were the Tigers at 24.

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Marlins (17); Padres (15); Cardinals (13)

American League – A’s (33); Indians (32); Royals (32);

Contrary to expectations – at least Baseball Roundtable’s expectations – the top six teams in August steals were from the American League (as well as seven of the top eight and eight of the top ten).   The Rockies, Reds and Diamondbacks were at the bottom of the stolen base list with three swipes each.

BATTERS’ STRIKEOUTS

National League – Cubs (303); Diamondbacks (282); Reds (267)

American League – Yankees (268); Angels (262); Mariners (258)

Hitters for the Blue Jays fanned the fewest times in August (200).

BATTERS’ WALKS

National League – Nationals (108); Phillies (99); Braves (96)

American League – Yankees (111); Red Sox (104); Twins (97)

EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League –  Dodgers (2.25); Giants (3.07); Cardinals (3.30)

American League – Yankees (3.16); Blue Jays (3.49); Mariners (3.52)

Two teams had earned run averages over 6.00 for August: The Orioles (7.43) and the Cubs (6.97). No surprise, they combined for 11 wins and 44 losses. At the other end of the spectrum, the two squads with the lowest August ERA’s (Dodgers and Giants) went a combined 40-15.

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Brewers (281); Dodgers (278); Padres (261)

American League – White Sox (292); Red Sox (265); Yankees (265)

The White Sox staff fanned an MLB-highest 10.51 batters per nine innings in August. The Brewers led the NL at 10.32. Ten teams average better than one strikeout per inning for the month.

SAVES

National League –  Brewers (12); Dodgers (12); Giants (11)

American League – Yankees (14); Mariners (9); Rays (9)

 The Orioles had just four save opportunities in August and converted one.

—-August 2021 Highlights —-

Rizzo, Not a Bad Deadline Pickup

Anthony Rizzo, acquired by the Yankees (from the Cubs) two days before the July 29 trade deadline, began paying dividend immediately. Rizzo drove in a run in each of his first six games as a Yankee (July 30-August 4) – becoming the first Yankee ever to collect an RBI in each of his first six games with the Bronx Bombers.  After those six contests, Rizzo was hitting .400 (8-for-20) as a Yankee, with three home runs, eight runs scored, six RBI, four walks and just one strikeout.  He did cool off, however. At the end of August Rizzo was hitting .250-4-12 in his Yankee tenure.

Home Sweet Home

On August 7 – at the Olympic competition in Japan – the Japanese baseball squad top the Americans 2-0 for the Olympic Gold

Burnes Burns Cubbies

On August 11, Brewers’ 26-year-old righty Corbin Burnes was in control, as his Brewers topped the Cubs 10-0 at Wrigley Field. Burnes not only fanned 15 batters in eight innings, he tied an MLB record by fanning ten consecutive batters (from the leadoff hitter in the second inning through the leadoff hitter in the top of the fifth (Cubs’ 1B Fred Schwindel both times).  Burnes used 41 pitches to record the ten straight whiffs (all swinging) and did not go to a three-ball count on any batter. In his eight innings of work, he faced 27 batters and threw 99 pitches – 74 strikes.   Burnes’ 2021 record at the end of August was 9-4. 2.27.

Record are Made to be Broken … or at Least Tied

Hall of Famer Tom Seaver (Mets) set an MLB record by striking out 10 consecutive Padres’ batters on April 22, 1970.  That streak  stood unmatched for more than fifty years – until this season, when the Phillies’ Aaron Nolan fanned ten straight Mets on June 25 and the Brewers’ Corbin Burnes sent ten straight Cubs down swinging on August 11.

Tossing a Maddux

Braves Hall of Famer Greg Maddux had a reputation for efficiency.  That, in fact, is why the term “throwing a Maddux” has come to mean tossing a complete-game shutout in less than 100 pitches.  On August 11, the Cardinals’veteran righthander Adam Wainwright did just that – shutting down the Pirates 4-0 for his 11^th win of the season – in just 88 pitches (58 strikes).  Wainwright gave up just two hits, walked no one and fanned seven. Here’s his inning-by-inning pitch count (starting with the first frame); 13; 7; 12; 9; 9; 12; 7; 13; 6. Wainwright appears to have he Pirates’ number this season. Through August, in four 2021 starts against the Pirates, he is 4-0, with a 0.30 earned run average.

Walk Don’t Run

On August 12, A’s 3B Matt Chapman came to the plate six times, saw 31 pitches, never put the ball in play and still scored three runs. Chapman drew a five-pitch walk in the top of the second inning; a seven-pitch walk in the fourth; a four-pitch walk in the fifth; a six-pitch walk in the sixth; and a five-pitch walk in the eighth. He came up in the top of the ninth with a chance to tie the all-time record for walks in game, but struck out looking on a 1-2 pitch from Blake Parker.

THE PROMOTIONAL DAYS OF AUGUST

Field of Dreams with a Dream Finish

On August 12, Baseball came to Dyersville, Iowa – to the farm that was featured in the blockbuster movie Field of Dreams – and baseball did not disappoint. It started, appropriately, with a dramatic entrance – Kevin Costner, lead character from the movie, emerging from a cornfield beyond the outfield with a baseball in hand, followed by the Yankees and White Sox teams (in throwback uniforms). The teams then proceeded to face off in an 8,000-seat ballpark built especially for the event (about 500-feet from the ball field featured in the 1989  movie).

Ultimately, baseball was the star of this event, as the White Sox won a see-saw game  9-8 on a walk-off, two-run home run by SS Tim Anderson. In the contest, the White Sox jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first, fell behind the Yankees 3-1 after 2 ½ innings, retook the lead in the bottom of the third (5-3) and held it until the top of the ninth, when the New Yorkers tallied four times to move ahead 8-7, before Anderson’s long ball won the game.

The game proved a win, not only for the White Sox, but for MLB – as it drew the largest TV audience of any regular-season MLB game since 2005.  Side note:  Tickets for the game (sold via lottery) had a face value of $375 and $425 and, according to news reports, were going for well in excess of $1,000 on the secondary market.  How this event will fare going forward remains to be seen.  Will the novelty/nostalgia factor decline or will it have staying power?  It will be interesting to see what promotional and ceremonial activities MLB comes up with for future Field of Dreams matchups.

The Little League Classic Shows Its Staying Power

MLB’s fourth Little League Classic (August 22) featured the  Indians and Angels at Williamsport, Pennsylvania’s Muncy Bank Park Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field (the second oldest ballpark in minor league baseball). The game brought major leaguers to Williamsport during the Little League World Series.  The Little Leaguers enjoyed the evening’s game, which saw the Indians top the Angels 3-0.

Just as important, if not more important, the event featured a lot of interaction between the Little Leaguer and Big Leaguers – whether it was  signing autographs; paying ping pong, Wiffle Ball or “Ladder Golf”; sharing batting, pitching and fielding tips; or sliding  down the Lamade Stadium hill on flattened cardboard boxes. A good time, as they say, was had by all.  The Little League Classic, initiated in 2017, has become a baseball tradition that let’s the national pastime shine.   Clearly, the LLC will continue to be an unforgettable experience for big leaguers, little leaguers and all of us who follow the game.

Lucky Friday the 13th

On Friday, August 13^th, the Los Angeles Dodgers topped the Mets 6-5 in ten innings (in New York) scoring two runs on a Will Smith leadoff homer (that dreaded and dreadful placed runner scored) in the top of the tenth.  (The Mets came back to tally one run in the bottom of the inning.) The win broke a bad “spell” for the Dodgers, who had lost their past 11 extra-inning games (and had a 1-12 record in extra frames on the season).  Perhaps to prove the spell was truly broken, the Dodgers topped the Mets 2-1 in ten innings the very next day. Then, on August 25, they won their third consecutive extra-inning outing (5-3 over the Padres in 16 innings).

Let’s Get This Party Started- and Tie a Record, Too

On August 14, Diamondbacks’ rookie southpaw Tyler Gilbert no-hit the Padres (7-0) in his very first MLB start.  Not only did it make him one of just 24 pitchers to hurl a no-hitter as rookie, it also made him  just the fourth player to toss a no-no in his first MLB start. Further, it was the eighth no-hitter of 2021, tying the MLB record for the most no-hitters thrown in a season (set in 1884). Gilbert completed his no-no in 102 pitches, walking three and fanning five. For more on first start no-hitter, click here.

Newman Won’t Four-Get This One

On August FOURteenth, the Pirates hosted the Brewers in a FOURteen-inning doubleheader. Pittsburgh won the first game FOURteen to FOUR. In that game, Pirates’ SS Kevin Newman, who came into the contest hitting .218, went FOUR-for-FOUR, with FOUR runs scored and two RBI. His FOUR  hits were all doubles, enabling him to tie the MLB record for most doubles in a game (and he did it in seven innings). Not only that, he recorded his FOUR doubles in consecutive at bats in FOUR consecutive innings (third, FOURth, fifth and sixth). Newman had just 12 doubles in his first 105 games played this season.  In Game Two of the twin bill, by the way, the Pirates collected just FOUR hits in losing to the Brewers 6-0.

Racking Up the Big Numbers

Photo by Keith Allison

On August 16, the Reds’ Joey Votto notched his 2.000 MLB hit (as well as his 1,999^th and 2001^st), as the Reds pounded the Cubs 14-5.   This was Votto’s third landmark hit of the  2021 season.  On April 30, he smacked his 300^th home run and on June 30^th, he collected his 1,000^th RBI.  According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the only other player to reach the three marks in the same season was the Cubs’ Billy Williams (1971).

Move Over Babe Ruth, Here Comes Brett Phillips

On August 16, as the Rays topped the Orioles 9-2, Rays’ RF Brett Phillips smacked (and ran) an inside-the-park home run leading off the sixth inning.  It was Phillips’ 10^th home run off the season and fifth in 19 days. Notably, three of the  immediately preceding four Phillips’ long balls (all of the over-the-fence variety) were Grand Slams (July 29 versus the Yankees; August 9 versus the Orioles; and August 11 versus the Red Sox). Per STATS, 19 days is the shortest period of time in which any MLB player has record three Grand Slams and an inside-the-parker.  Previous record holder?  Babe Ruth (36 days, 1929). Side note: Phillips three Grand Slams came in a span of just nineteen plate appearances. Impressive, but well short of the record – three slams in 14 plate appearances by the Tigers’ Jim Northrup (June 24-June 29, 1968).  All of this, of course, is part of the #InBaseballWeCountEverything” mindset.

Move Over Babe, Here Comes the Sho

On August 18, Shohei Ohtani put on a show in the Motor City. The Angels’ two-way star started on the mound, batting leadoff. In the contest, won by the Halos 3-1, Ohtani pitched eight innings for the victory, giving up six hits and one run while fanning eight.  He also hit his MLB-leading 40^th home run of the season. It was Ohtani’s 18^th start on the mound this season and he ran his record to 8-1, 2.79.

Shohei Ohtani is the first MLB player to hit 40 home runs and pitch in at least 15 games in the same season.  Second place on the list?  Babe Ruth, who hit 29 homers (leading the AL) and pitched in 17 games in 1919.

Motoring for the Cycle

On August 18, as the Braves topped the Marlins 11-9, Atlanta 1B Freddie Freeman hit for the cycle – going four-for-five with four runs scored and two RBI. It was the second cycle of the 31-year-old Freeman’s career – making him the 28th player (post-1900) to achieve multiple cycles. Freeman doubled in the first, tripled in the fourth, singled in the fifth and went deep in the sixth.

The Beautiful Swan that Turned into an Ugly Duckling

On August 21, the Yankees faced off against the Twins in New York and it was a pretty ho-hum game (at least for Twins fans, as the Yankees held a six-run lead in the seventh inning). That’s when we had the “you see something new at just about every ball game” moment. Yankee 3B Rougned Odor came up with two-on and one out in the bottom of the seventh.  On an 0-2 count Odor called – and was granted – time out as Twins’ pitcher Ralph Garza went into his windup.  Garza completed the pitch, which Odor (still in the batter’s box) launched into the right field bullpen for an apparent three-run home run.  Not so fast! Despite the loud New York celebration, Odor was called back to the plate, with the timeout enforced. He proceeded to strikeout – part of a zero-for-three, two strikeouts game (one HBP).

The Ugly Duckling that Turned into a Beautiful Swan

Okay, this is out of chronological order, but it seems to fit after the Odor story directly above. On August 28, as the Red Sox topped the Indians, recently called up Boston 2B Jonathan Aruaz (starting and batting in the nine-hole) came up in the top of the eighth inning with runners on first and second, no outs and the Red Sox trailing 3-1. Aruaz was called on to bunt and (ugly duckling here) muffed on two bunt attempts.  After those futile bunt attempts, Aruaz hit a 3-2 pitch off  James Karinchak for a three-run homer (beautiful swan)– giving the Red Sox a one-run lead that held up for the win. It was the 23-year-old’s second MLB home run (in 42 games … 2020-21).

500 and Counting

On August 22, Tigers’ DH hit his 13^th home run of the season – a solo shot off the Blue Jays’ Steven Matz, in the top of the sixth, that tied the game 1-1.  (This Tigers went on to win 5-3).  Home run number 500 came nine games and 37 plate appearance after number 499 (in the fifth inning of an August 11 5-2 Tigers’ win at Baltimore.) Number 499 broke a scoreless tie in the top of the fifth.  Cabrera did not wait as long between 500 and 501 (which he hit in the Tigers’ very next game, August 24 at St. Louis.). Cabrera’s next target on his Hall of Fame quest?  That would be 3,000 hits.  He stood at 2,961 as August action came to an end.

A long time a coming. 

On August 10, 1971, Harmon Killebrew hit his 500^th career round tripper. It came in the first inning, off the Orioles’ Mike Cueller, in a 5-3, ten-inning loss in Minnesota. Killebrew had been sitting on number 499 since July 25 (14 Twins games), a period of 59 plate appearances and 43 at bats between 499 and 500. Number 501, by the way, came just five innings and  two at bats after 500.

There’s a FIRST Time for Everything

MLB’s current ageless wonder – 41-year-old Nelson Cruz (who finished August with a .268-26-71 line on the season) started at first base for the Rays (against the Phillies in Philadelphia). Cruz went three-for-four with two RBI in the game – which is no surprise for the professional batsman.  It was surprising, however, to see Cruz start at first base for the Phillies. It was the first time he started at first base in 17 MLB seasons and 1,852 MLB games. In fact, it was the first time he started at first base in his professional career – so you can add in 741 minor-league games and 98 games in the Dominican Winter League and Caribbean Series.   Cruz handled seven fielding chances without an error, which proved you can teach and old dog new tricks.   (There’s hope for me yet.)

Three K’s – Nine Pitches-Three Times.  That’s a Fire Sale

On August 26, as the Red Sox topped the Twins 12-2 in Boston, Chris Sale threw the fourth “Immaculate Inning” (three up, three down, three strikes on nine pitches) of the 2021 season. Three appeared to be a lucky number as the Immaculate Inning came in the third frame.  The victims were CF Nick Gordon, SS Andrelton Simmons and RF Rob Refsnyder –  the numbers eight, nine and one in the order. Notably, it was the third Immaculate Inning of Sale’s career – tying him with Sandy Koufax for the most such perfect frames. Sales’ previous Immaculate Innings came on June 5, 2019 and May 8, 2019.  In getting the win, Sale itched 5 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on two hits and two walks, while fanning eight.,

They Call It the Streak

August was a streaky a month, at least for a couple of teams.  The Yankees put together a 13-game winnings streak (August 8 through August 27 – during which they outscored their opponents 75-35, outhit them .251 to .215 and out-homered them 25-15. In the streak, Yankees pitchers pit up a 3.19 ERA to their opponents 6.20.  Yankees’ batters went down on strikes 123 times to their opponents’ 135. Notably, the 13-win streak included three one-run victories and five two-run wins.  It involved seven home victories and six on the road.

Aroldis Chapman helped keep the Yankee streak alive with a save on August 26. He came on in the ninth with New York up 7-6 on the A’s and gave up just a harmless single. It was Chapman’s 300th MLB save and 24th of this season. 

On the other side of the coin, the Orioles dropped 19 consecutive games (August 3 through August 24) – in which they were outscored 163 to 55.  The streak started with four losses in which the Orioles gave up a total of 45 runs, while scoring just 13.  Over the course of the streak they were outhit by their opponents .311 to .245 and out-homered 38 to 27.  The Orioles’ pitching staff put up an 8.67 ERA during the streak, to their opponents’ 2.68. The Orioles gave up ten or more seven times during the losing streak and lost by six or more runs eight times.  They finally made it back to the win column on August 25 with a 10-6 win over the Angels (thankfully in Baltimore). The Orioles trailed in that one 6-5 until scoring five in the bottom of the eighth innings.

More #InBaeballWeCountEverything

On August 27, Yasmani Grandal came off the injured list to get his first start behind the plate for the White Sox since July 5. He did it with a flare – going four-for-six, with a double, two home runs and eight RBI (as the ChiSox topped the Cubs 17-13). The eight RBI were a career-high for Grandal and tied the White Sox single-game record. Now, for the “counts everything” moment, STATS reported that it is the most RBI in the first game back from a player who spent at least a month in the IL.

Happy Birthday to Me

On August 27, Cubs’ rookie first baseman Patrick Wisdom celebrated his thirtieth birthday – on the ball field. Wisdom, whose rookie status is intact, despite brief call ups with the Cardinals, Ranger and Cubs in 2018, 2109 and 2020, celebrated the big 3-0 with a two-homer, four-RBI game against the crosstown White Sox.  (It was his second multi-homer game of the season).  Apparently, he wasn’t done celebrating, as he had another two-homer game against the ChiSox the very next day.

Baseball, It’s a Wander-ful Thing

As August came to an end, Rays’ 20-year-old rookie shortstop Wander Franco could look back on a month in which he got on base in all 25 games he played – via 31 hits, nine walks and two hit-by-pitch.  (Franco went .313-3-19 for the month.  The August performance was part of a still active 31-game streak  of getting on base .

Still A Long Way to Go

In 1949 (July 1 through September 27), Ted Williams set the MLB record for more consecutive games reaching base safely. – an astounding 84 contests. During the streak, Williams hit .371 (112-for-302) with a .518 on-base percentage (92 walks).  He had 24 home runs, 81 runs and 80 RBI over the 84 games. The streak included 14 games in which Williams did not get a hit, but got on base via the walk(s). 

What Doesn’t This Guy Do?

On, August 31, Angels Pitcher/DH Shohei Ohtani  – who leads MLB with 42 home runs and has an 8-1, 3.00 record in 15 2021 starts on the mound –  stole stole two bases (his 21st and 22nd of the season).  The cherry on top of the Sundae – one of those was not really a base, but home plate.

——-Individual Statistical Leaders for August ———

AVERAGE (75 June  at bats minimum)

National League – C.J. Cron, Rockies (.387); Tyler Naquin, Reds (.386); Bryan De La Cruz, Marlins (.384)

American League –  Amed Rosario, Indians (.372); Starling Marte, A’s (.363); Randy Arozarena, Rays (.362)

The lowest August average (among players with at least 75 at bats in the month)  belonged to the Yankees’ Rougned Odor at .146 (12-for-82).

HOME RUNS

National League – C.J. Cron, Rockies (11); Bryce Harper, Phillies (10); Patrick Wisdom, Cubs (9); Brandon Belt, Giants (9)

American League –  Salvador Perez, Royals  (12); Hunter Renfroe, Red Sox (10); Jose Abreu, White Sox (10)

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – C.J. Cron, Rockies (34); Bryce Harper Phillies (25); Joey Votto, Reds (24); Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (24)

American League – Salvador Perez, Royals (28); Eloy Jimenez, White Sox (27); Jorge Polanco, Twins (27)

The Rockies’ C.J. Cron had the highest slugging percentage for August (among players with at least 75 at bats) at .828.

HITS

National League – Austin Riley, Braves (39); C.J. Cron, Rockies (36); Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (36)

American League – Amed Rosario, Indians (42); Starling Marte, A’s (41); Ty France, Mariners (39)

DOUBLES

National League –  Bryce Harper, Phillies (11); Tommy Edman, Cardinals (11); three with ten

American League –  Jeimer Candelario, Tigers (10); Myles Straw, Indians (9); Starling Marte, A’s (9); Brandon Lowe, Rays (9); Nathaniel Lowe, Rangers (9)

TRIPLES

National League – Bryan Reynolds, Pirates (3); Edmundo Sosa, Cardinals (3); five with two

American League – Amed Rosario, Indians (2); Jose Ramirez, Indians (2); Victor Reyes, Tigers (2); Brandon Marsh, Angels (2)

The Rockies’ C.J. Cron led (players with at least 75 August at bats) in on-bad percentage at .463.

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Trea Turner, Dodgers (5); Jazz Chisholm, Marlins (5)

American League – Starling Marte, A’s (19); Whit Merrifield, Royals (11); Nicky Lopez, Royals (10)

The Royals’ Nicky Lopez was ten-for ten in August steal attempts. .

WALKS

National League – Juan Soto, Nationals (33); Bryce Harper, Phillies (22); Jorge Soler, Braves (18)

American League – Joey Gallo, Rangers (23); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (21); Franmil Reyes, Indians (19)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Patrick Wisdom, Cubs (45); Ian Happ, Cubs (38); three with 36.

American League – Joey Gallo, Rangers (48); Brandon Marsh, Angels (43); Adolis Garcia, Rangers (42)

Joey Gallo struck out in one-half of his August at bats (48 whiffs / 96 at bats).

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League – Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (5-1); Max Fried, Braves (4-0); Max Scherzer, Dodgers (4-0); Logan Webb, Giants (4-0); Vladimir Gutierrez, Reds (4-2); Kyle Gibson, Phillies (4-2)

American League – Shane McLanahan, Rays (5-0); Dylan Cease, White Sox (4-0); J/T. Chargois, Rays (4-0); Liam Hendriks, White Sox (4-1)

The Orioles’ Spencer Watkins (0-6,  10.80) was the only MLB pitcher to take six losses in August.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (at least 25 innings pitched)

National League – Max Fried, Braves (1.36); Julio Urias, Dodgers (1.38); Logan Webb, Giants (1.41)

American League – Steven Matz, Blue Jays (1.30); Cal Quantrill, Indians (1.42); Marco Gonzalez, Mariners (1.58)

Among Pitchers with at least 25 innings pitched in August, the Indians Tristin McKenzie held batters to the lowest average (.126) and recorded the lowest WHIP (0.50).

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Blake Snell, Padres (54 / 36 2/3 IP); Sandy Alcantara, Marlins (48 / 39 2/3 IP); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (43 / 43 IP)

American League – Robbie Ray, Blue Jays (52 / 41 IP); Dylan Cease, White Sox (50 / 35 IP); Cal Quantrill, Indians (40 / 38 IP)

SAVES

National League – Will Smith, Braves (8); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (8); Josh Hader, Brewers (7); Jack McGee, Giants (7)

American League – Alex Colome, Twins (8); Raisel Iglesias, Angels (7); Emmanuel Clase, Indians (6)

–——Team  Statistical Leaders through   August ———-

RUNS SCORED (average 594)

National League –  Dodgers (676); Reds (658); Braves (636)

American League – Rays (710); Astros (699); Red Sox (675)

Five teams averaged five or more runs per game through August: Rays (5.38) Astros (5.30); Dodgers (5.08); Red Sox (5.04); and White Sox (5.02). The Pirates averaged the fewest runs per game through August at 3.58. Lowest  in the AL was the Rangers at 3.87.

AVERAGE (average .242)

National League – Nationals (.257); Reds (.249); Rockies (.249)

American League – Astros (.267); Blue Jays (.262); Red Sox (.259)

The lowest team average through August  belonged to the Mariners  at .223.  The lowest average in the AL? Rangers – .229.

HOME RUNS (average 160)

National League – Giants (199); Braves (191); Dodgers (186)

American League –  Blue Jays (196); Twins (185); Rays (179)

The Pirates had the fewest home runs through August at 101.

STOLEN BASES (average 60)

National League – Padres (97);  Marlins (96); Phillies (68)

American League – Royals (97); Indians (83); A’s (78)

The Reds stole the fewest sacks through August  at 27 (in 49 attempts).

WALKS DRAWN (average 431)

National League – Dodgers (514); Padres (502); Brewers (483)

American League – Yankees (529); Rays (485); White Sox (482)

The Astros  led MLB  in on-base percentage through  August  at .339. The Nationals led the NL at .333. In slugging percentage, the Blue Jays  were on top at .450, while the Giants  led the NL at .434.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS (average 1,155)

National League – Cubs (1,313); Marlins (1,274); Diamondbacks (1,224)

American League – Rays (1,290); Mariners (1,26-); Tigers (1,254)

What do those whiffs mean? In the American League, the team with the most batters’ strikeout is leading its division (Rays, 1,290), as is the team with the least batters’ strikeouts (Astros, 999)

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (average 4.22)

National League – Dodgers (3.01); Giants (3.30);  Brewers (3.35)

American League – Yankees (3.65); Rays (3.67); Astros (3.68)

Three teams had ERA’s through August  at 5.00  or higher– Orioles (5.84), Diamondbacks (5.14); and Pirates (5.05). They have a combined record of 132-262 – and all reside in last place.  Among the six ERA leaders listed above, four are division leaders and two are in second place.  Their combined W-L through August is 474-320.

STRIKEOUTS (average 1,155)

National League – Brewers (1,334); Dodgers (1,327); Padres (1,275)

American League – White Sox (1,322); Red Sox (1,248); Yankees (1,246)

The White Sox  averaged an MLB-best 10.3 strikeouts per nine innings through August. The Brewers  led the NL at 10.1.  The only other team at 10 or better was the Dodgers (10.). The MLB average was 9.0.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED (average 431)

National League – Giants (344); Mets (377); Phillies (413)

American League – A’s (355); Rays (362); Blue Jays (385)

The Giants walked a stringiest 2.6 batters per nine frames through August. The Rays had the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 3.40.

SAVES (average 32)

National League – Giants (48); Dodgers (43); Padres (40)

American League – Yankees (41); Red Sox (40); Mariners (38)

The White Sox and Phillies led MLB with four complete games each through August. (There were 44 complete games across MLB and six teams had zero complete games – Pirates, Rangers, Royals, Indians, Angels, Red Sox.

Bonus Stat – Hit By Pitch

Cardinals’ pitchers hit the most batters through August at 82 (the average was 58). Reds batters were hit the most often (92 times). 

——-Individual Statistical Leaders through August 31———-

BATTING AVERAGE (qualifying players – 3.1 at plate appearance for each team game played)

National League – Trea Turner, Dodgers (.322); Nick Castellanos, Reds (.315); Jesse Winker, Reds (.307)

American League – Yuli Gurriel, Astros (.313); Michael Brantley, Astros (.313);  Vlad Guerrero, Jr. , Blue Jays (.313);

The lowest average through August  (among qualifiers) belonged to the Reds’ Eugenio Suarez at .169 (73-for-432).  Notably, it was a productive .169 – as Suarez also had 23 home runs and 66 RBI.

HOME RUNS

National League – Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (36); Pete Alonso, Mets (29); Adam Duvall, Braves (29); Max Muncy, Dodgers (29)

American League –  Shohei Ohtani, Angels (42); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (39); Salvador Perez, Royals (38)

Shogo Akiyama, Reds’ CF has the most at bats without a home run this season (154). He stat line is .201-0-12 in 81 games. Royals’ SS Nicky Lopez ended August hitting .292 in 120 games (373 at bats) with just one home run.

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – Jesus Aguilar, Marlins (92); Adam Duvall, Braves (88); Ozzie Albies, Braves (86); Manny Machado, Padres (86)

American League – Jose Abreu, White Sox (102); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (97);  Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (96)

The Padres’ Fernando Tatis,  Jr.  had the highest slugging percentage among qualifiers at .640.  The only other players above .500 through August were the Angel’s Shohei Ohtani at 623 and Blue Jays’ Vlad Guerrero, Jr. at 602.

RUNS SCORED

National League – Freddie Freeman, Braves (95); Juan Soto, Nationals (88); Fernando Tatis, Jr. , Padres (86); Chris Taylor, Dodgers (86)

American League – Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (98); Bo Bichette, Blue Jays (96); Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (92)

HITS

National League –Trea Turner, Dodgers  (154); Adam Frazier, Padres (148); Freddie Freeman, Braves (144); Austin Riley, Braves (144)

American League – Cedric Mullins, Orioles (151); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (151); David Fletcher, Angels (150)

DOUBLES

National League –  Tommy Edman, Cardinals (35); Ozzie Albies, Braves (34); Nick Castellanos, Reds (32):  Nolan Arenado, Cardinals (32); Jesse Winker, Reds (32): Nick Costellanos, Reds (32); Bryce Harper, Phillies (32)

American League – Jeimer Candelario, Tigers  (36); J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (35); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (34);  Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (34)

The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani had the most extra-base hits through August (72). The Braves’ Ozzie Albies led the NL with 63 extra-base knocks.

TRIPLES

National League – Dave Peralta, D-backs (8); Ozzie Albies, Braves (6); Jake Cronenworth, Padres (6)

American League – Akil Baddoo, Tigers (6); Amed Rosario, Indians (6); four with five

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Trea Turner, Dodgers (26); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (24); Starling Marte, Marlins* (22);  *Marte is now with the A’s.

American League –Whit Merrifield, Royals (38); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (25); Myles Straw, Indians (22); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (22)

Starling Marte led all MLB players with 42 stolen bases through August, but lead neither league. Marte stole 20 bases in the AL (A’s) and 22 in the NL (Marlins). 

WALKS

National League – Juan Soto, Nationals (105); Bryce Harper, Phillies (74); Max Muncy, Dodgers (73)

American League – Joey Gallo, Yankees (99); Robbie Grossman, Tigers (79); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (72)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Javier Baez, Mets (154); Eugenio Suarez, Reds (149);  Chris Taylor, Dodgers (144)

American League – Joey Gallo, Yankees (176); Matt Chapman, A’s (166); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (159)

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League –Julio Urias, Dodgers (15-3); Kyle Hendricks, Cubs (14-6); Walker Buehler, Dodgers (13-2); Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (13-7)

American League – Gerrit Cole, Yankees (13-6); Chris Bassitt, A’s (12-4); Hyun Jin Ryu, Blue Jays (12-8)

The  Orioles’ Jorge Lopez 3-14, 6.18), Orioles’ Matt Harvey (3-14, 6.14), Nationals’ Patrick Corbin (7-14, 6.26) and  Reds’ Luis Castillo (7-14, 4.30) tied for the lead in losses through August.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (qualifying players … at least one inning pitch for each team game played)

National League – Walker Buehler, Dodgers (2.05); Corbin Burnes, Brewers (2.27); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (2.35)

American League – Lance Lynn, White Sox (2.59);Robbie Ray, Blue Jays (2.71);  Gerrit Cole, Yankees (2.80)

INNINGS PITCHED

National League – Zach Wheeler, Phillies (182 2/3); Walker Buehler,  Dodgers (176); Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (169 2/3)

American League – Zack Greinke, Astros (159 2/3); Robbie Ray, Blue Jays (159 1/3); Luis Giolito, White Sox (158 1/3)

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Zack Wheeler, Phillies (208  / 182 2/3);  Corbin Burnes, Brewers (189 / 139 IP); Max Scherzer, Dodgers (188 / 140 IP)

American League – Robbie Roy, Blue Jays (202 / 159 1/3 IP); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (200 / 148 IP); Dylan Cease, White Sox (188 / 143 2/3 IP)

Among qualifying pitchers, the Brewers’ Corbin Burnes had the best strikeouts/nine innings ratio through August  at 12.24. The Yankees’ Gerrit Cole  led the AL  at 12.16.

Among qualifying pitchers,  Burnes also had the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 7.27.  Cole led the AL at 6.25.

SAVES

National League – Mark Melancon, Padres (36); Kenley Jansen,Dodgers (30); Alex Reyes, Cardinals (29); Jake McGee, Giants (29); Will Smith, Braves (29)

American League –  Liam Hendriks, White Sox (30):  Raisel Iglesias, Angels (29); Matt Barnes, Red Sox (24);  Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (24); Craig Kimbrel, White Sox (24)

Blake Treinen of the Dodger had the most  “holds” through August at 25. The A’s Yusmeiro Petit led MLB in mound appearances through August with 66 (with a record of 8-1, 2.96, with two saves). 

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

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It’s June 1 and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s traditional previous month wrap up – statistics, standings and stories that caught BBRT’s eye over the previous month, as well as the BBRT Players and Pitches of the Month and the BBRT Trot index.  Here’s the kind of thing you’ll read about – if you last to the end of the post. 

• One player (Nick Castellanos, Reds) hit over .400 for the month;
• Four teams with earned run averaged under 3.00 for the month and ten starting pitcher with ERA’s under 2.00 for may.
• An 11-game winning streak and a 14-game losing streak.
• The third, fourth, five and sixth no-hitters of the young season.
• The fourth and fifth three-homer games of the season.
• A player end the month leading his league in home runs and stolen bases.

Changing of the Guard… and It’s Good to be a Junior

At the close of play May 31, four players were tied for the major league-lead in home runs with 16: Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (age 23); Adolis Garcia, Rangers (age 28, only 24 MLB games before this season); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (age 22); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (age 22).

• The second triple play of the season;
• A player strike out in his first eight MLB at bats (a record) and then collect his first hit, first extra-base hit, first RBI and first run scored – all in the same inning;
• A on-the-field “Brain Freeze;”
• The scoring of MLB’s 2,000,000th run.
• An AL pitcher get is first MLB plate appearances – and go three-for-three; and
• More

You can read more about these events (and more May stories) in the Highlights Section. First, Baseball Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month.

——Baseball Roundtable Players and Pitchers of the Month——

National League

Player of the Month … Nick Castellanos  3B/OF, Reds

Castellanos led MLB in May batting average (among players with at least 75 May at bats) at a lofty .409. His 38 hits were third (second in the NL). He also had five home runs, 15 RBI and 18 runs scored.  In addition, he drew 12 walks for a .476 on-base percentage (tops in the majors). Castellanos got hits in all but three of his 24 May games and finished the month on a 17-game hitting streak that included 11 multi-hit games. He also had a five-hit, two-homer game on May 2 – and his Reds needed all of that production, winning 13-12 in ten innings.

Honorable Mentions: The Dodgers’ Max Muncy was also in the running after a .337-10-19 month in which he also moved from first base to second base to accommodate the acquisition of Albert Pujols. (Muncy’s ten May homers led the NL.)  I also gave strong consideration to Padres’ SS Fernando Tatis, Jr.  and his .353-9-26 May stat line.  His homers were second in the NL, his RBI first and he also stole a May-best eight bases. Castellanos’ .400+ average, however, was just too hard to deny.

Pitcher of the Month – Kevin Gausman, RHP, Giants

Photo by IDSportsPhoto

Gausman led all pitchers (tied) with five May wins (no losses) in six starts.  He threw 37 innings and gave up just three earned runs. His 0.73 May earned run average was the lowest among pitchers toiling at least 25 innings during the month. (And he did it without tossing a no-hitter.) His 37 innings pitched were eighth in MLB and his 49 strikeouts tied for third. During May, he never gave up more than one earned run in his six starts.  On May 14, he went eight innings against the Pirates,  giving up one run on five hits while fanning 12.

Honorable Mentions: The Nationals’ Max Scherzer went 3-2, 1.83 in six May starts, with an MLB-leading 57 strikeouts in 39 1/3 innings (13.04 whiffs per nine). In his two May losses, Scherzer pitched 13 innings giving up just four earned runs (2.77 ERA), while fanning 19 (walking just two). The Nationals scored a total of one run in those two contests. The Brewers’ Brandon Woodruff also earned a look after putting up a 1.07 ERA in May (two wins and two losses), while fanning 49 batters in 42 innings. He could have used a bit more support. Woodruff gave up just five earned runs in six starts – never more than two in an outing.  In his two wins, he held the opposition scoreless for a total of 14 innings. The Phillies’ Zack Wheeler also earned consideration. Although he was only 2-0 in May, he deserved better. His May ERA was 2.08 and his 57 strikeouts (43 1/3 innings) tied for the MLB lead.

American League

Player of the Month …. Marcus Semien, SS, Blue Jays

Marcus Semien hit .368 for the month (second only to Nick Castellanos in MLB), with eight home runs (tied for fourth in MLB) and 22 RBI ( tied for sixth).  His 42 May hits led the majors and his 23 runs scored tied for third. The versatile infielder hit in all but three of 28 games played and had 12 multi-hit games.

Honorable Mentions: Rangers’ outfielder Adolis Garcia put up a .312-11-27 line in May – leading the major in May homers and tied for second in RBI for the month. He ran neck-and-neck with Semien for this recognition and was edged out primarily due on on-base percentage of .348 to Semien’s .429). BBRT also considered the Blue Jays’ Vlad Guerrero, Jr., who put up a .302-9-22 stat line in 28 games – and also drew 12 walks, while fanning only 16 times.

Pitcher of the Month … Lance Lynn RHP, White Sox

Lynn led the AL (and tied for the MLB lead) with five May victories (5-0, 1.64 in six starts.). He may not have been as overpowering as some of the competition (30 strikeouts in 33 innings), but he kept runners away from the plate. After giving up three runs in his first May start, he gave up only three more earned runs over his next five starting assignments.  He’s a big part of why the White Sox reside in first place.

Honorable Mentions: How can you not mention the Rays’ veteran southpaw Rich Hill?  The 41-yea-old, in his 17^th MLB season, was downright stingy in May – pitching to a 0.78 ERA in five starts (three wins- one loss). This followed an April when he produced a 7.25 ERA in five starting assignments.  Quite the turnaround.  I also looked at the White Sox Lucas Giolito, 4-2, 2.41 with 45 whiffs (fifth-best in MLB) in May.

Surprise Player of the Month … Adolis Garcia, OF, Rangers

Adolis Garcia (also an honorable mention for Player of the Month) came into the season with a 0.87 average in 24 MLB games and then hit .242-5-14 in April. Garcia really turned it on in May. In 28 games, he hit .312, while leading MLB with 11 May home runs. His 27 May RBI were second only to the Rays’ Austin Meadow 28.  For good measure, he also tossed in five stolen bases in five attempts. He was a positive surprise for the Rangers.  He could use a bit more plate discipline (six walks and 30 whiffs in May), but Garcia earned surprise recognition for May.

Honorable Mention: More a comeback than a surprise, but still a very pleasant surprise of sorts. The Orioles’ Trey Mancini returned to the major this season after a bout with Stage 3 colon cancer. How is it going?  Mancini’s May stat line was .320-6-25.

Now how about, BBRT’s regularly featured “Trot Index.”

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TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BBRT FEATURE

Through May 2021, 37.4 percent of the MLB season’s 59,398 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 (24.2%); walks (8.9%); home runs (3.0%); HBP (1.8%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Personally, I’d like more action in the field of play.

The 37.7 percent figure is up slightly from 2020’s (full season) 37.3 percent;  2019’s (full season) 36.2 percent and 2018’s 34.8 percent Trot Index.  

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N0w, how about a look at May. Here’s how the teams fared last month. As you can see, a couple of teams played .700+ ball in May – the Rays and Cubs.  The Cubs put together a solid month with MLB’s best May earned run average and the NL’s best batting average.  (Their solid May showing included eight one-run victories.) Meanwhile, the NL West remained the closest MLB division race – and, appropriately, the three front runner (Giants, Padres, Dodgers) each scored 155 runs during the month.

The Rays played .786 ball, fueled in part by an 11-game winning streak (May 18-24). During the streak they outscored their opponents 95-43, outhit them .292 to .209 and out-homered them 22 to 15. Rays’ hurler put up a 3.20 earned run average during the streak, compared to the opponents 7.51,  Seven of the eleven games were on the road. When the streak started, the Rays were in fourth place (three games out); When it ended, they were in first place (a half-game ahead of the Red Sox).

Over in the National League, the Padres put together a nine-game winning streak at about the same time (May 14 through May 23). Notably the streak consumed the entirety of a nine-game home stand, and was book-ended by a May 12 3-2 loss at Colorado (second game of a double header) and a May 24 5-3 loss at Milwaukee. During  the streak, the Padres outscored their opponents 66-18 and out hit them .288 to .196 (home runs were even at nine apiece).  The Padres mound staff pitched to a 1.65 earned run  average over the nine games, as compared to their opponents 7.00, and notched 95 strikeouts to the opponents’ staffs’ 61. When the streak started, the Padres were in second place (1 1/2 games behind the Giants). After the ninth win, they were in first place with a one-game lead over the Dodgers.

On the other side of the coin, the Orioles finished May in a (still active) 14-game losing streak – in which they were outscored 93-48.  (I’ll let the stats below tell the story.

——-Individual Statistical Leaders For  May———-

RUNS SCORED

National League –Giants (155); Padres (155); Dodgers (155)

American League – Rays (160); Blue Jays (154); Astros (153)

No one scored fewer runs in May than the Pirates, who plated just 81 tallies.  Others under 100 runs for the month included the Mariners (96) and Marlins (97).

AVERAGE

National League – Cubs  (.262); Nationals (.251); Dodgers (.249)

American League – Blue Jays (.279); Astros (.275); Red Sox (.260)

The lowest May team average belonged to the Mariners at a meager .199. The Brewers were the lowest in the National League at .207.

HOME RUNS

National League – Giants (46); Braves (43); Dodgers (38)

American League –  Blue Jays (42); Twins (41); Rays (40)

The Pirates had the fewest May home runs at 17.  In the American League, the Tigers were at the bottom with 20 May homers. The Rockies (19) and Diamondbacks (18) also finished under 20 home runs in May.

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Padres (26); Cardinals (20); Rockies (19)

American League – Rays (23); Tigers (19); Rangers (18)

The A’s stole the fewest bases in May – just four (in seven attempts).

WALKS DRAWN

National League –  Giants (123); Padres (110); Dodgers (109)

American League – White Sox (123); Rays (120); Twins (109)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Phillies (290); Giants (287); Brewers (276)

American League – Rays (311); Tigers (269); Yankees (268)

Astros’ batters fanned the fewest times in May (180).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League –  Cubs (2.52); Padres (2.69); Mets (3.18)

American League – Rays (2.70); White Sox (2.89); Yankees (3.33)

Two teams had ERA’s over 5.00 in May: Orioles (5.89) and Diamondbacks (5.46).

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Brewers (286); Dodgers (276); Phillies (273)

American League – White Sox (279); Indians (278); Angels (276)

The Brewers had the highest strikeouts per nine innings in May at 10.38. The White Sox led the AL at 10.21.

SAVES

National League – Cardinals (12); Mets (11); Cubs (10); Giants (10)

American League – White Sox (9); Indians (9); Red Sox (9); Yankees (9); Mariners (9)

No, a look at some of the players and plays that caught my eye in May.

–—-MAY 2021 HIGHLIGHTS—-

A Different Kind of RBI Machine

Once again proving #InBaseballWeCountEverything, Mets’ rookie Patrick Mazeika – between May 7 and May 11  – became the first major leaguer in more than fifty years to collect three RBI before his first hit.  He collected those RBI on a pair of fielder’s choices and a bases-loaded walk.

On May 7, pinch-hitting for P Aaron Loup in the bottom of the tenth in a 4-4 game against the Diamondbacks, Mazeika came up with the bases loaded and one out. Mazeika hit a dribbler in front of the plate, the pitcher went for the play at the plate (to stop the winning run), the tag was not made and Mazeika had a walk-off fielder’s choice and his first MLB RBI.

On May 9, he came up as a PH in the bottom of the sixth with the Mets up 2-1 on the Diamondbacks, two outs and the sacks full.  This time, he drew a five-pitch walk for his second MLB RBI.

On May 11, the rookie came up – again as a PH – in the bottom of the ninth with one out, the Mets and Orioles tied at two and runners on first and third.  He hit a slow grounder to first, the Orioles unsuccessfully tried to cut down the winning run at the plate.  End result: Run scored and Mazeika’s  got his third MLB RBI and second “walk-off fielder’s choice.”
On May 16, Mazeika finally got his first MLB hit – and it was a home run, giving him his fourth MLB RBI.

DH? We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ DH

On May 4, Braves’ 23-year-old -year-old Huascar Ynoa threw seven strong innings (one unearned run on four hits and two walks) to earn his third win of the season as the Braves topped the Nationals 6-1. He also went one-for-three at the plate – stroking a sixth inning Grand Slam. Notably, it was his second straight start in which he homered (a solo shot on April 28 versus the Cubs) and the third straight start in which he collected an RBI.  At the close of May, Ynoa was hitting .353-2-6 in 17 at bats  and had a 4-2, 3.02 record on the mount.

Ynoa Update – Ouch

After a poor outing on May 16 (five runs surrendered in 4 1/3 innings versus the Brewers), Brave’s righty Huascar Ynoa punched a dugout bench (with his pitching hand). The broken right hand is likely to keep him out for a couple of months, the Braves reported.

More #WeDon’tNeedNoStinkin’DH

Okay, how about an American League pitcher wielding the bat (other than Shohei Ohtani, of course)? On May 4, The White Sox ’25-year-old righty Dylan Cease found himself at the plate for the first time in his MLB career (2019-21). He made the most of it, collecting two singles and a double in three at bats.  Oh yes, he also three six scoreless innings, giving up one hit, three walks and fanning eleven – as the White Sox topped the Reds 9-0. Cease now has an MLB average of 1.000 and a slugging percentage of 1.333.

Or, #WhyNotHaveADH, if he’s a pitcher.

In May, the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani (bats left/throws right) got four starts on the mound and went 1-1, 2.38, with 27 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings. At the plate the P/DH hit .245, with seven home runs and 21 RBI in 27 games.

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Four No-Hitters In May.  Wow. Just. Wow.

May 2021 saw four MLB no-hitters – only the second time in MLB history that we’ve seen for no-hitters in a single calendar month.  (June of 1990 saw no-hitters by Randy Johnson – June 2; Nolan Ryan – June 11; Dave Stewart – June 29; Fernando Valenzuela – June 29).

The four May no-hitters bring this season’s total no-hit games to six – one shy of the modern-era record of seven (1990, 1991, 2912, 2015)  and two short of the all-time record of eight (1884).

Here’s a look at this May’s “no-no’s.”

May 5, John Means, Orioles

Means no-hit the Mariners – and it was the most dominating performance among May’s no-no’s. The only runner to reach base was Mariners’ LF Sam Haggerty, who struck out swinging in the fourth, but reached when the catcher couldn’t handle the third-strike wild pitch. Haggerty was then caught stealing, so Means faced the minimum 27 batters, fanning 12.  He tossed 113 pitches (79 strikes).) The 28-year-old Means is in his fourth MLB season and, at the end of May , he was 4-1, 2.05 on the season and 18-16, 3.47 in his MLB career.  The no-hitter was his first complete game (48 starts).

May 7, Wade Miley, Reds

The 34-year-old southpaw shut down the Indians 3-0 – giving up no hits and just one walk (eight strikeouts). He threw 114 pitches (72 strikes). Miley is in his eleventh MLB season and the no-hitter was his third complete game and first shutout in 261 starts. Through May he was  5-4, 3.26 for the Reds. His career record is 90-89, 4.21.

May 18, Spencer Turnbull, Tigers

Turnbull no-hit the Mariners as the Tigers won 5-0. He walked two (leadoff walks in the seventh to CF Jarred Kalenic and in the fourth to 1B Jose Marmolejos) and fanned nine, tossing 117 pitches (77 strikes).  This may be the season’s most surprising no-hitter thus far.  Coming into the 2021 campaign, Turnbull had an MLB record of 7-23, 4.55. The no-hitter was the 28-year-old right-hander’s first complete game in his four MLB seasons (52 starts). At the end of May, his 2021 record was 4-2, 2.93.

May 19, Corey Kluber, Yankees

The 35-year-old righty no-hit the Blue Jays – giving up just one walk (a four-pitch free pass to 3B Charlie Culberson in the fourth frame), while fanning nine.  He tossed just 101 pitches (71 strikes).  The Yankees prevailed 2-0.  This one was no surprise, Kluber is in his eleventh MLB season, is a two-time Cy Young Award winner and has led his  league in wins twice, complete games three times and shutouts three times.

A couple of no-hit tidbits:

• This season’s six no-hitters have seen three teams no-hit twice each (Rangers, Indians, Mariners). Just 19 teams have been no-hit twice in a season in MLB history.
• Seattle third baseman Kyle Seager has been on the field for nine no-hitters (five as a player on the team that was no-hit, four on the team tossing the no-hitter). That’s a record for no-hitter appearances for a single franchise. Bert Campaneris holds the overall record for appearing in no-hitters at 11.

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Grabbing Some Air and a Seat on the Bench

On May 8, Brewer’s reliever Josh Hader  fanned the side in the bottom of the ninth (giving up a single in the midst of the whiffs), as the Brewers toppled the Marlins 6-2.  The first batter of the inning, Corey Dickerson, fanned on three pitches, giving Hader 400 career strikeouts and making him the the quickest ever to 400 whiffs– 234 2/3 innings.

I’m in Control Here

With two outs in the top of the fifth inning of a Brewers’ May 13 2-0 loss to the Cardinals, Brewers’ starter Corbin Burnes walked Cardinals’ SS Tommy Edman on five pitches.  That might not have been significant – except it was Burnes’ first walk of the 2021 season (coming in his sixth start).  It completed a streak that left Burnes holding the record for the most batters struck out before giving up the first walk of a campaign (58) – as well as for the most batters fanned between walks at any point in the season.  Burnes faced 125 batters in his streak and fanned 46.4 percent of them. (For more on Burnes’ streak, click here.)

While Burnes’ still holds the record for strikeouts before a walk from the start of a season, his record for most strikeouts between walks in a season has already fallen to the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole. Cole walked the Blue Jays’ LF Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. leading off the second inning of his start on April 12 and didn’t walk another batter until he issued a free pass to Rangers’ RF Joey Gallo in the fifth inning of the Yankees/Rangers Game of May 17. In between those walks he faced 150 batters and fanned 61 (the new record for strikeouts between walks at any point in a season). Ironically, Gallo ended May leading the AL not in walks, but whiffs at 73). In the midst of his streak, Cole notched his 1,500^th MLB strikeout (The Rays’ Brett Phillips on May 12).

250 … That has a Ring to It

This May, the Red Sox’ J.D. Martinez and Braves’ Freddie Freeman each hit their 250th MLB home run. Freeman’s came on May 15 and was his tenth of the season. Martinez’ came on May 20 and was his twelfth of the season.

Zero-to-Fifty in a Hurry

On May 21, Padres’ shortstop Fernando Tatis, Jr. had a four-for-four day as the Padres pounded the Mariners 16-1. In the course of the game, Tatis popped his eleventh home run of the season – the 50th of his career. Reaching the 50-homer milestone in his 171st MLB game meant he reached the marker faster than any other MLB shortstop and quicker than all but four other major leaguers (any position).  Those ahead of Tatis? Pete Alonso (152 games); Rudy York (153 games); Gary Sanchez (161 games); Mark McGwire (161 games).Making that first solid contact count.

Power and Speed

At the close of May, the Padres’ Fernando Tatis Jr. was tied for the NL lead in home runs (16) and stolen bases. Only three MLB players have led their league in those two categories in the same campaign: Jim Sheckard, Superbas (Dodgers), in 1903; Ty Cobb,Tigers, in 1909; Chuck Klein, Phillies, in 1932. 

Well, That’s a First

On May 21, Mets’  22-yer-old rookie outfielder Khalil Lee, who made his MLB debut May 17,  rapped a pinch-hit double in the top of the 12^th inning that drove in the go-ahead run as the Mets topped the Marlins 6-5 in Miami. (Lee also scored in the inning – on a triple by another rookie –  CF Johneshy Fargas.  (The Mets plated three runs in the fop of the twelfth, the Marlins got two in the bottom of the frame.)  In the inning, Lee notched a host of personal MLB “firsts”  – his first hit, first extra-base hit, first RBI and first run scored. Not only that, he snapped a record-setting streak of futility. To that point in his MLB career, Lee had come to the plate eight times and struck out all eight (four looking/four swinging) – a record for the beginning of an MLB career.

Baseball Roundtable Extra

University of Nevada infielder Tyler Bosetti set a new Division One NCAA record, hitting home runs in nine straight games between April 24 and May 11. Notably, now in his fourth college season, Bosetti had a total of five homers in his first three campaigns. 

Grand Slam Bookends and More #InBaseballWeCountEverything

On May 21, as the Braves thrashed the Pirates 20-1 in Atlanta, Atlanta popped seven home runs – including two Grand Slams. STATS reports they are the first team to collect seven or more home runs and two Grand Slams in the same game. Here is the long ball tally: RF Ronald Acuna, Jr. – Grand Slam in the second; 2B Ozzie Albies – two-run homer in the fifth; 3B Austin Riley – solo home runs in the fifth and seventh; CF Marcell Ozuna – solo in the sixth; SS Dansby Swanson – solo in the seventh; PH Ehire Adrianza – Grand Slam in the eighth.

Winker Going Wild

On May 21, as the Reds topped the Brewers 9-4, Reds’ leadoff hitter and LF Jesse Winker had a four-for-four day – and his first MLB three-homer contest.  Winker popped solo home runs in the third, fifth and eighth innings.  Winker ended the game hitting .356-11-26. It was the fifth three-homer game this season.  The others belong to: The Rockies’ Ryan McMahon (April 6); Red Sox’ J.D. Martinez (April 11); Blue Jays Vlad Guerrero, Jr. (April 27); Twins’ Miguel Sano (May 18).

Like Father Like Son

Two father and son duos have three-homer games on their MLB resumes:

Ken Griffey Sr. and Jr. and Cecil and Prince Fielder

Three Can Be a Lucky Number

On May 21, not only did we see the 2021 season’s fifth three-homer game (see above), but also the season’s second triple play – and it was a crucial triple killing, helping the Yankees to a 2-1 win over the White Sox, The score was 1-1 in the top of the ninth, when Yankees’ closer Aroldis Chapman started the inning by walking DH Yermin Mercedes on five pitches (Mercedes was replaced by pinch runner Billy Hamilton) and then mishandling a bunt by CF Leury Garcia  – putting runners on first and second with none out.  Next up was LF Andrew Vaughn, who hit a hard grounder to 3B Gio Urshela (playing near the bag), Urshela stepped on third, fired to 2B Rougned Odor for the second out and the watched as Odor relayed the ball to 1B Luke Voit for out number three. The Yankees then scored in the bottom of the inning to give Chapman the win.

Double Your Pleasure

On July 17, 1990 the Minnesota Twins became the first (and still only) team to turn two triple plays in one game. Both were classic third (Gary Gaetti) to second (Al Newman) to first (Kent Hrbek) triple killings.  The Twins, by the way, lost the game (to the Rd Sox) 1-0.

Major League Brain Freeze

On May 27, the Cubs stole a run from the Pirates during a run-down – between first base and home plate. Here’s how it went down. There were two outs in the top of the third inning with Cubs’ catcher Wilson Contreras on second base. Chicago SS Javier Baez hit a ground ball to third base, but Pirates’ 3B Erik Gonzalez’ throw pulled 1B Will Craig off the bag.  Then, the fun began.

Contreras, of course, was running on the play, approaching third base. Baez instead continuing toward first after Craig caught the ball up the line, retreated back toward home plate.  At this point, all Craig needed to do was go back and touch first and the inning was over, with no run scoring.  Oops! Instead, he chased Baez back toward home. By this time, as Baez approached home plate from the first-base side, Contreras was approaching the plate from the third-base side. Quite a crowd was gathering. Still, Craig just needed to return to first base and touch the bag to end the inning.  Instead, he tossed the ball to Pirates’ catcher Michael Perez (with Contreras sliding under the tag). Still, all that needed to happen was for a Pirate defender to tag first base and retire Baez, with the run not scoring.  (Baez was now again headed toward first and Pirates’ second baseman Adam Frazier was coming over to cover the bag.) Perez, however, threw the ball past Frazier into right field and Baez ended up on second base (later scoring on an Ian Happ single).  Those two odd runs proved important as  the Cubs emerged with a 5-3.  Want to see how it all went down.  Enjoy this YouTube video from MLB.

Baseball Roundtable Extra

On May 24, 17-year-old high schooler Frank Mozzicato (Manchester East Catholic High School) – possessor of a low-90’s fastball – tossed his fourth consecutive no-hitter. After the game, his season total included 101 strikeouts and just 15 walks (in 42 innings) and a 0.21 earned run average (just one earned run allowed).

The Two-Million Run Man (apologies to Lee Majors)

On May 29, in the first inning of a game against the Royals, Twins’ DH Nelson Cruz drove in 3B Josh Donaldson to give Minnesota a 1-0 lead.  As Donaldson touched the plate, he scored the two millionth run in MLB history (as verified by the Elias Sports Bureau. (Side note:  That designation may change once the Negro League statistics are officially incorporated into MLB’s stat lines.)

–——Individual Statistical Leaders for May———-

AVERAGE (75 May at bats minimum)

National League – Nick Castellanos, Reds (.409); Adam Frazier, Pirates (.360): Max Muncy, Dodgers (.330)

American League –  Marcus Semien , Blue Jays (.368); Teoscar Hernandez, Blue Jays (.343); Andrew Benintendi, Royals (.340)

The lowest May average (among players with at least 75 at bats) belonged to the Royals’ Jorge Soler at .154 (14-for-91). Eleven hitters with at least 75 May at bats hit under .200 for the month. 

HOME RUNS

National League – Max Muncy, Dodgers (10); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (9); Eugenio Suarez, Reds (8); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (8)

American League –  Adolis Garcia, Rangers (11): Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (9); Mitch Haniger, Mariners (8); Jared Walsh, Angels (8); Ramon Laureano, A’s (8); Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (8); Austin Meadows, Rays (8)

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – Fernando Tatis, Jr. Padres (26); Eduardo Escobar, Diamondbacks (23); Brandon Crawford, Giants (22)

American League – Austin Meadow, Rays (28); Adolis Garcia, Rangers  (27);  Jose Abreu, White Sox (26)

The Dodgers’ Max Muncy had the highest slugging percentage (75 at bat minimum) for May at .714  The only other player at .700+ was the Blue Jays’ Marcus Semien (.702)

HITS

National League – Adam Frazier, Pirates (40); Nick Castellanos, Reds (38); Trea Turner, Nationals (35)

American League – Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (42); Teoscar Hernandez, Blue Jays (37); Jose Altuve, Astros (36)

DOUBLES

National League –  Josh Rojas, Diamondbacks (10): Bryan Reynolds, Pirates (10); Nick Castellanos, Res (9); Adam Frazier, Pirates (10)

American League – Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (12); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (11); Randal Grichuk, Blue Jays (10)

TRIPLES

National League – Ozzie Albies, Braves (3); Garrett Hampson, Rockies (3)

American League –Amed Rosario, Indians (3)

The Reds’ Nick Castellanos led players with at least 75 May at bats  in on-base percentage at .476.

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (8); Trea Turner, Nationals (7); Jonathan Villar, Mets (6); Story, Rockies (6); Tommy Edman, Cardinals (6)

American League –Niko Goodrum, Tigers (7); Whit Merrifield, Royals (7); Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Rangers (6); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (6); Randy Arozarena, Rays (6)

Whit Merrifield was seven-for-seven in May steal attempts.

WALKS

National League – Tommy Pham, Padres (19); Juan Soto, Nationals (19); several with 16

American League – Yasmani Grandl, White Sox (29); Yoan Moncada, White Sox (24);  Carlos Santana, Royals (22)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Javier Baez, Cubs (34); Andrew McCutchen, Phillies (33); Austin Riley, Braves (33)

American League –Miguel Sano, Twins (38); Michael Taylor, Royals (38); Brandon Lowe, Rays (37); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (37)

The top seven players in batters’ strikeouts for May were in the American League.

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League – Kevin Gausman, Giants (5-0); Kyle Hendricks, Cubs (4-1); Jack Flaherty, Cardinals (4-1); Julio Urias, Dodgers (4-2)

American League – Lance Lynn, White Sox (5-0); Hyun Gin Ryu, Blue Jays (4-0); Yusmeiro Petit, A’s (4-0); Josh Fleming, Rays (4-1); Lucas Giolito, White Sox (4-2)

The Redss Luis Castillo had the most May losses (0-6, 8.04).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (at least 25 innings pitched)

National League – Kevin Gausman, Giants (0.73); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (1.07); Taijuan Walker, Mets (1.52)

American League – Rich Hill, Rays (0.78); Kris Bubic, Royals (1.52); Lance Lynn, White Sox (1.64).

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Max Scherzer, Nationals (57 / 39 1/3 IP); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (57 / 36 1/3 IP); Kevin Gausman, Giants (49 / 37 IP); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (49 / 42 IP).

American League – Lucas Giolito, White Sox (45 / 37 1/3 IP); Carlos Rodon, White Sox (44 / 29 2/3 IP); Shane Bieber, Indians (42 / 29 2/3 IP); Tyler Glasnow, Rays (42  / 32 1/3 IP)

Among pitcher with at least 25 May innings, the White Sox’ Carlos Rodon  led in whiffs per nine innings at 13.35. Also, above 13 were The Padres’ Blake Snell (13.33);  Nat’s Max Scherzer (13.04) and Tigers’ Tarik Skubal (13.00). Thirty-four pitchers with at least 25 May innings average 10 or more whiffs per nine.  

SAVES

National League – Alex Reyes, Cardinals (9); Craig Kimbrel, Cubs (8); Mark Melancon, Padres (8)

American League: Liam Hendriks, White Sox (8):  Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (7); Matt Barnes, Red Sox (6); Ian Kennedy, Rangers (6)

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If the season ended at the close of play May 31, your post-season team would be:

AMERICAN LEAGUE – Rays, White Sox, A’s.  Wild Cards: Red Sox.  Indians/Astros (tie).

NATIONAL LEAGUE – Mets, Bubs, Giants.  Wild Cards: Padres, Dodgers.

–——Team  Statistical Leaders through  May———-

RUNS SCORED (average 231)

National League –  Dodgers (282); Padres (264); Giants (261)

American League – Astros (284); Rays (273); Red Sox (269)

AVERAGE (average .236)

National League – Nationals (.249); Reds (.246); Dodgers (.246)

American League – Astros (.267); Red Sox (.259); Blue Jays (.258)

The lowest team average through  belonged to the Mariners at a meager .205. The Brewers were the lowest in the National League at .211.

HOME RUNS (average 60)

National League – Braves (81); Giants (78); Reds (73)

American League –  Blue Jays (77); Twins (72); A’s (70)

The Pirates had the fewest home runs through May at 37. In the AL, the Tigers and Royals were at the bottom with 48.

STOLEN BASES (average 25)

National League – Padres (59);  Phillies (33); Cubs (32); Marlins (32)

American League – Royals (39); Rangers (37); Rays (32)

The Yankees  and Reds  stole the fewest bases in  through May (12). The Yankees attempted the fewest steals through May at 16. By contrast, the Padres attempted 74 steals.

WALKS DRAWN (average 177)

National League – Dodgers (235); Padres (220); Giants (215)

American League – Rays (213); Yankees (213); White Sox (214)

The White Sox led MLB  in on-base percentage through  May at .343. The Dodgers led the NL at .338.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS (average 479)

National League – Phillies (544); Brewers (538); Giants (530)

American League – Rays (584); Tigers (549); Rangers (527)

Hmm. What do strikeouts mean? The Rays have the most wins (through May) in the AL and also the most whiffs.  The Tigers have the third-most losses and the second-most  whiffs. In the NL, the Giants have the most wins through May and the third-most whiffs, while the Phillies with the most strikeouts have the fourth-most losses.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (average 4.02)

National League – Padres (2.77); Mets (3.06); Dodgers (3.19)

American League –Yankees (3.20); White Sox (3.23); Rays (3.38)

The highest  ERA through May belonged to the Angles at 5.06. 

STRIKEOUTS (average 479)

National League – Padres (572); Brewers (555); Dodgers (544)

American League – White Sox (530); Yankees (526); Angels (524)

The Padres, Brewers and White Sox all averaged 10.4 whiffs per nine innings through May. Other teams at 10 or more: Mets (10.2); Dodgers (10.1); Angels (10.0); Indians (10.0). The MLB average was 9.2.

WALKS SURRENDERED (average 177)

National League – Cardinals (240); Reds (222); Rockies (204)

American League – Angels (222); Royals (211); Indians (201)

SAVES (average 13)

National League – Giants (21); Padres (20); Cardinals (19)

American League – Indians (17); Mariners (17); Rays (17)

–——Individual Statistical Leaders through May 31———-

BATTING AVERAGE (qualifying players – 3.1 plate appearance for each team game played)

National League – Nick Castellanos, Reds (.356); Jesse Winker, Reds (.348); Adam Frazier, Pirates (.332)

American League –  J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (.323); Vlad Guerrero, Jr. , Blue Jays (.323); Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (.321)

The lowest average through May  (among qualifiers) belonged to the Brewers’ Jackie Bradley at .150 (24-for-160).

HOME RUNS

National League – Ronald Acuna, Jr. Braves (16); Fernando Tatis, Jr. (16); five with 13.

American League –  Adolis Garcia, Rangers (16): Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (16); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (15)

RUNS BATTED IN

National League –Eduardo Escobar, D-backs (39);  Jesus Aguilar, Marlins (38); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (37)

American League – Jose Abreu, White Sox (46); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (43); Vlad Guerrero, Jr.. Blue Jays (42); Trey Mancini, Orioles (42)

The Braves Nick Castellanos had the highest slugging percentage (among qualifiers) through  May at .638.  The only other player at .600+ were the Reds’ Jesse Winker (.635); Blue Jays’ Vlad Guerrero, Jr. (.634); Braves’ Ronald Acuna, Jr. (618); and Cubs’ Kris Bryant (.611),

HITS

National League – Adam Frazier, Pirates (69); Nick Castellanos, Reds (67); Jesse Winker, Reds (62)

American League – J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (62); Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (62); Isiah Kiner-Falefa,Rangers (611); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (61)

DOUBLES

National League –  Nolan Arenado, Cardinals (17); Adam Frazier, Pirates (17); Mookie Betts, Dodgers (16); Bryan Reynolds, Pirates (16)

American League – Rafael Devers, Red Sox (17); Joey Wendle, Rays (16); Yuli Gurriel, Astros (15); Austin Meadows, Rays (15)

TRIPLES

National League – Dave Peralta, D-backs (5); Garrett Hampson, Rockies (4)

American League –Akil Badoo, Tigers (4); Nick Madrigal, White Sox (4)

The most extra-bases hits (among qualified players) through May was 31 for the Red Sox’ Rafael Devers. The Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado led the NL with 29. The fewest extra-base hits among qualifiers was seven (by six players).

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (12); Trea Turner, Nationals (12); Tommy Edman, Cardinals (10); Barrett Hampson, Rockies (10)

American League –Whit Merrifield, Royals (15); Isiah Kiner-Falefa, Rangers (10); Tim Anderson, White Sox (9)

The most stolen bases without being thrown out through May was eight by the Blue Jays’ Marcus Semien.  MLB SB leader Whit Merrifield (Royals) was 15-for-16 in steal attempts.

WALKS

National League – Max Muncy, Dodgers (43); Freddie Freeman, Braves (35); Andrew McCutchen, Phillies (31)

American League – Yasmani Grandl, White Sox (42); Joey Gallo, Rangers (39); Carlos Santana, Royals (38)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Javier Baez, Cubs (70); Eugenio Suarez, Reds (70); Willy Adames, Brewers (61); Rhys Hoskins, Phillies (61)

American League – Joey Gallo, Rangers (73); Matt Chapman, A’s (70); Nate Lowe, Rangers (67)

The best walks-to-strikeouts ratio through May (among qualifiers) belonged to the Nationals’ Juan Soto at 1.318 (29 walks and 22 whiffs in 40 games).

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League –Jack Flaherty, Cardinals (8-1); Julio Urias, Dodgers (7-2); Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (7-4)

American League – Yusmeiro Petit, A’s (7-0); Aaron Civale, Indians (7-2); five with six

The Reds’ Luis Castillo had the most losses through May (1-8, 7.22 in 11 starts). Coming into this season, the 28-year-old Castillo was 32-33, 3.62, 

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (qualifying players … at least one inning pitched for each team game played)

National League – Jacob deGrom (0.71); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (1.27); Kevin Gausman, Giants (1.40)

American League – Gerrit Cole, Yankees (1.78); Carlos Rodon, White Sox (1.98); John Means, Orioles (2.05)

Among qualifying pitchers Jacob deGrom held batters to the lowest average through May at .129.

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Trevor Bauer, Dodgers (96 / 76 1/3 IP); Max Scherzer, Nationals (95 / 69 1/3 IP); Zack Wheeler, Phillies (92 / 75 IP)

American League – Shane Bieber, Indians (110 / 72 IP); Tyler Glasnow, Rays (98  / 70 IP); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (97 / 70 2/3 IP)

Among qualifying pitchers, the Mets’ Jacob deGrom had the best strikeouts/nine innings ratio through May at 14.47. Shane Bieber led the AL at 13.75. Two others were at 13+: The Brewers’ Freddy Peralta (13.18) and White Sox’ Carl Rodon (13.17). deGrom also had the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 11.14. The only other qualifier with a ratio of 10+ through May was the Yankees’ Gerrit Cole (10.78).

Among qualifying pitchers,  the Phillies’ Zack Elfin had the best walks per nine innings ratio at 1.06.

SAVES

National League – Mark Melancon, Padres (17); Alex Reyes, Cardinals (15); Josh Hader, Brewers (12); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (12); Craig Kimbrel, Cubs (12); Jake McGee, Giants (12)

American League: Liam Hendriks, White Sox (13):  Matt Barnes, Red Sox (12); Ian Kennedy, Rangers (11); Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (11)

The Cardinals’ Alex Reyes and Brewers’ Josh Hader  are the only pitchers with ten or more saves and no blown save opportunities. Reyes is 15-for-15, Hader 12-for-12.

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

Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer:  The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change as Major League Baseball recognizes and incorporates Negro League records from 1920-46 into the MLB record book.

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This season, we’ve seen the two longest streaks of pitcher’s strikeouts without surrendering a walk and one is still active.  In this post, we’ll look a little bit deeper into the less likely of the two streaks – the one that just ended.

Brewers’ 26-year-old righty Corbin Burnes fanned 58 batters without issuing his first walk this season – which gave him the record for most strikeouts without a walk from the start of a season, as well as for the most strikeouts between walks for anywhere within a season.  Burnes didn’t walk his first batter until the fifth inning of his sixth 2021 start.

So far this season (through May 14), Burnes has a 1.57 earned run average in six starts. In 34 1/3 innings, he’s surrendered just 21 hits and six earned runs.  His efforts have not been rewarded in the W-L columns, however. He has two wins, three losses and one no-decision on the season. The Brewers have been shutout in all three of Burnes’ losses.  Through May 13, the Brew Crew had been shutout four times, and they were averaging  just 3.66 tallies per game, fifth-lowest in MLB.

Over the course of his streak, Corbin Burnes faced 125 batters and fanned 58 (46.4 percent) of them,

Here’s is a look at Burnes’ streak:

• On April 3, Burnes pitched 6 1/3 innings versus the Twins and gave up just one run on one hit, while fanning 11. (The run came on a Byron Buxton home run in the seventh.)  Burnes left trailing 1-0 and the Brewers lost 2-0, getting just one hit off four Twins’ pitchers. (Loss for Burnes.)
• On April 8, Burnes tossed six shutout innings versus the Cardinals, again giving up just one hit, while fanning nine. He left with a 1-0 lead, but the Brewers eventually lost 3-1.  (No decision for Burnes.)
• On April 14, Burnes pitched six scoreless frames against the Cubs, giving up just two hits and fanning ten. He left with a 3-0 lead and the Brewers won 7-0, with Burnes getting the win.
• On April 20, Burnes pitched six shutout frames against the Padres (four hits, ten whiffs). He left with a 5-0 lead and got the win as the Brewers prevailed 6-0).
• Burnes had a bit of a hiccup on April 26, giving up five runs (four earned) on eight hits versus the Marlins (striking out nine). He took the loss as the Brewers fell 8-0. Burnes went on the IL after the game and didn’t return to the mound until May 13.
• On May 13, Burnes pitched five innings versus the Cardinals, giving up one earned run (and, in the fifth inning, his first walk of the season), while fanning nine. He got the loss as the Brewers fell 2-0.

In Burnes’ streak, he went to three-ball counts on just 16 batters – retired 14 of them, ten on strikeouts (including the only two batters he started at 3-0).

Burnes came into the 2012 season with a career MLB record of 12-6, with a 4.48 earned run average and 3.4 walks (versus 11.8 strikeouts) per nine innings (146 2/3 innings pitched).

–—-A new Streak to Watch —-

The Yankees’ Gerrit Cole, riding a zero-walk streak of his own, has been considerably more fortunate than Burnes. Cole has a still-active, within-a-season, streak of 56 strikeouts since his last walk. The streak began in the second inning of an April 12 game against the Blue Jays. Cole walked the leadoff batter that inning, gave up a single and then fanned the side (for the first three strikeouts of the 56-whiff, walk-free). Since that frame, he has pitched another 38 1/3 innings and fanned 53 more batters without giving up a free pass. Including the April 12 win, Cole has gone 4-1. With one no-decision in his streak. On the season, he is 5-1, 1.37 with 78 strikeouts (three walks) in 52 2/3 innings.  We’ll have to see if Cole passes Corbin’s streak in his next start.

Primary Resource:  Baseball-Reference.com

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The first month of MLB’s 2021 regular season has come to an end and it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s traditional monthly wrap up:

• A look at the April stories and stats that caught BBRT’s eye;
• April won-lost records (future Wrap Ups will include the most recent month and year-to-date stats and standings);
• BBRT’s Players and Pitchers of the Month; and
• BBRT’s “Trot Index.”

Note: If you are more into stories than stats, you can scroll down to the “Highlights” section. 

Just Try to Sneak One past Nicky “Two-Strikes”

Two strikes?  No problem. This April, White Sox’ 2B Nick Madrigal hit hit .355 in at bats where he had two strikes on him – and, within that set of at bats, hit .364 on 0-2 counts.  Small sample size?  Yes, but consider that, in his two MLB seasons, Madrigal has hit .333 in 87 at bats which stretched to a two-strike count, has hit .529 (9-for-17) on 0-2 pitches and has hit .405 after falling behind 0-2 in an at bat (15-for-37). 

Before we get into the details, here are a few events that helped shape April 2021 in MLB (more on these and other April “happenings” in the “Highlights” section).  In April, we saw:

• Two no-hitters (Carlos Rodon & Joe Musgrove);
• A triple play (Reds);
• Three three-homer games (J.D. Martinez, Ryan McMahon, Vlad Guerrero, Jr.);
• A player (White Sox’ rookie Yermin Mercedes) start a season with a record eight straight hits;
• A starting pitcher (Corbin Burnes) strikeout 49 batters without giving up even one walk; 
• Angels’ two-way player Shohei Ohtani do something that hasn’t been done in 100 seasons – start a game on the mound when he was also leading MLB in home runs on the season.  (Last done by, of course, Babe Ruth – back in 1921.);
• Two qualifying batters hit .400 for the month (Mike Trout and Yermin Mercedes) and a third (Byron Buxton) outhitting them both, but one plate appearance short of qualifying for the leader board;
• Two qualifying pitchers (Jacob deGrom and Carlos Rodon) turning in April ERA’s under 1.00 and a third (Danny Duffy) turning in an even lower ERA than deGrom and Rodon, but falling one inning short of qualifying for the leader board;
• One player (Joey Votto) notching his 300th career home run; 
• One team (Tigers) averaging below .200 for the month;
• One division, the NL East with no team over .500 – and the only team in the Division (Marlins) with a positive run differential was in last place at the end of April;
• The Padres swiping 33 bases; the Mets just three;
• Despite the DH taking pitchers’ whiffs out of the mix, we saw that the top three teams in batters’ strikeouts in April were all from the AL (Rangers, Tigers, Rays). 

Hmm.  How About Those Record Books?

There were 14 complete games recorded in April 2021 – six of them in seven-inning doubleheader contests.  Of the ten complete-game shutouts that went into the record books, four were part of seven-inning doubleheaders. 

Again, more on these and other April “stories” in the Highlights section.  Before we get deeper into April stats, let’s look at BBRT’s Players and Pitchers of the Month.

—–PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THE MONTH (SEPTEMBER)—–

NATIONAL  LEAGUE

Player of the Month – Ronald Acuna Jr., OF, Braves

Ronald Acuna, Jr. – just 23-years-old – continues to make his presence known on the field.  His .341 April average was second among NL (qualifying) players, his eight home runs tied for tops in the NL (one behind the Red Sox’ J.D. Martinez overall), his 25 runs scored were the most in MLB and  his 18 RBI were seventh in the NL.  Add in his 15 walks and two HBP and his .443 on-base percentage was third among NL qualifying hitters. .  During the month, Acuna scored two or more runs in eight games. Acuna also stole three bases in April.

Honorable Mention(s): Jesse Winker of the Reds provided average and power with a .370-6-16 line, with his average leading NL qualifiers and his 30 hits tied for third in the NL.  BBRT also looked at the Dodgers’ Justin Turner, who put up a .330-6-20 stat line in April. 

Pitcher of the Month –Jacob deGrom,  LHP, Mets

Photo by slgckgc

 Jacob deGrom, started five games in April, putting up (among qualifiers) an MLB-best 0.51 ERA,   and second-lowest WHIP (0.57), while fanning an NL-tops 59 batters in 35 innings (tying Nolan   Ryan’s record for the most whiffs in the first five starts of a season (1978).   In his five starts,   deGrom gave up   just 16 hits and only two earned runs (one earned run in each of his two   losses  – over 14 innings).  On April 23, he tossed a two-hit, 15-strikeout, complete-game shutout against the Nationals. 

Honorable Mention(s): Joe Musgrove of the Padres pitched to a 2-2 record, with a 1.24 ERA (second only to deGrom among NL qualifiers).  He also tossed the first no-hitter in Padres’ history and fanned 41 batters (five walks) in 29 innings.  The Brewers’ Corbin Burnes also deserves mention, after going 2-2 with a 1.53 ERA during the month, striking out 49 batters (without a single walk) in 29 1/3 innings.  Unfortunately, Burnes was on the Injured list when April closed, so we’ll have to wait to see how much farther he can take the streak. 

Life Just Isn’t Always Fair

While Jacob deGrom’s 0.51 April ERA resulted in a 2-2 record for the month, Steven Matz (Blue Jays) translated a 4.00 ERA into a 4-1 April record. 

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Player of the Month – Byron Buxton, OF, Twins

This was a tough decision, with an eight-time All Star and three-time MVP (Mike Trout), a rookie (Yermin Mercedes) and a often-injured, seven-season MLB veteran (Byron Buxton) having his best start ever all in the running.  All three offered one of those “bright and shiny things” that grab BBRT’s attention – a .400+ average (although Buxton fell one plate appearance short of qualifying for the leader board).  BBRT’s is going with Buxton, who put it all together in April with a .426 average, eight home runs (second in MLB only to J.D. Martinez’ nine), 14 RBI, 15 runs scored, three stolen bases, an .897 slugging percentage and Gold Glove caliber defense. Buxton was held hitless only twice in 18 games. He did it all. 

Honorable Mention(s): In April, Mike Trout played like – Well, like Mike Trout. In fact, he may be having the best April start in his already storied career. His .425 average was tops among MLB qualifiers and he added six home runs, 14 RBI and 18 runs scored (in 21 games). White Sox’ rookie Yermin Mercedes (.415-5-16) pretty much kept pace with Buxton and Trout at the plate, but serves primarily as a DH (which costs him a “point” or two).  You’ll find more on Mercedes in the Surprise Player of the Month recognition.  I also considered the Red Sox’ primary DH  J.D. Martinez, who hit .333-9-25.  Martinez’ nine April homers and 25 RBI each led all of MLB, his 33 hits were third and he had a three-homer game and ten multi-hit games.

Pitcher of the Month – Carlos Rodon, LHP, White Sox

Photo by rchdj10

 Going with White Sox’ starter Carlos Rodon, whose April was nothing short of remarkable. His   four victories (no losses) tied for the most in MLB.  His 0.72 ERA was  the lowest among Al   qualifiers and second only the Mets’ Jacob deGrom  He also fanned 36 batters in 25 innings and,   of course (another bright and shinny thing), threw a no-hitter. In addition, Rodon gave up a total   of seven hits in four starts and held hitters to a MLB-low (among qualifiers) .085 batting average.   His WHIP of 0.64 was the lowest among AL qualifiers. 

Honorable Mention(s); The Yankees’ Gerrit Cole was  4-1 in six starts, with a  1.43 ERA (second among AL qualifiers). In addition, Cole’s had 0.72 WHIP in April and his 62 strikeouts (in 37 2/3 innings) were (second only to Shane Bieber’s 68.  The Indians’ Shane Bieber finished the month with an MLB-leading 68 whiffs in 42 1/3 frames.  Still, he had two fewer wins (3-2) than Rodon; a higher ERA (2.76); and a higher WHIP (0.99).  Similarly, while the Royals’ Danny Duffy’s ERA was a minuscule 0.39, his WHIP of 1.04 was higher than Rodon’s, he pitched fewer innings (23 – one short of qualifying for the leader board ) and recorded only about half as many strikeouts (27).  Overall, Rodon – in BBRT’s view – had a slight edge over these three Honorable Mentions (and then, there’s that no-hitter).  

Surprise Player of the Month – Yermin Mercedes, DH, White Sox 

Soxsox14, CC BY-SA 4.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0>, via
Wikimedia Commons

 A rookie as Player of the Month, in his first full month in the major leagues?  That would   be White Sox’ DH Yermin Mercedes, who came out of the gate smokin’ – becoming the   first MLB player in the modern era to collect a hit in each of his first eight plate   appearances of a season.  The 27-year-old Mercedes didn’t drop below .500 until his tenth   game of the season and finished the month at .415. His 34 hits tied for the most in MLB   this April and he also popped five home runs and drove in 16 tallies.  His month included   seven multi-hit games and he was held hitless in only three of 22 games played. 

Honorable Mention(s): Coming into the 2021 season, Orioles’ OF Cedric Mullins‘ career MLB average was .225 (115 MLB games over three seasons).  He ended this April tying for the MLB lead in base hits (34 in 26 games), with a .337 average. BBRT also wants to recognize Brewers’ catcher Omar Narvaez. The 29-year-old came into this season with a career .267 average and had hit just .176 in 40 games for the Brewers in 2020. This April, he put up a .368-3-11 line in 22 games.

How About a Surprise At Bat of the Month

On April 27, Brewers’ right-handed pitcher Adrian Houser started for the Brewers (against the Marlins in Milwaukee. He went 5 1/3 innings (three runs on five hits and one walk,with seven strikeouts) for the win.  But the surprise of the game came not when Houser was on the mound, but when he was at the plate.  He came into the game just 2-for-28 in his career with 21 strikeouts. In his first at bat of the game, on the first pitch he saw from Daniel Castano, Houser smacked his first MLB home run – a 418-foot blast to center.

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TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BBRT FEATURE

In April 2021, 37.7 percent of the MLB season’s 28,326 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 (24.4%); walks (8.8%); home runs (3.1%); HBP (1.3%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Personally, I’d like more action in the field of play.

The 37.7 percent figure is up slightly from 2020’s (full season) 37.3 percent;  2019’s (full season) 36.2 percent and 2018’s 34.8 percent Trot Index. See a trend there? 

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There were some surprises in April.  How about the Royals sitting atop the Al Central Division? How they got there adds to the surprise.  Consider that the Royals were outscored by opponents in April, while the second place White Sox has a plus-29 run differential. The Royals did it partly by going 6-1 in one-run games.  The team was led on offense by 2B Whit Merrifield (.274-3-15), 1B Carlos Santana (.247-6-20) and C Salvador Perez (.268-5-13). That trio was responsible for 14 of the team’s 22 home runs and 45 or the squad’s 99 RBI. Danny Duffy led the starting rotation (3-1, 0.39, 27 strikeouts in 23 innings).  Those one-run wins really reflect the handling of the bullpen – six different pitchers recorded saves during month.  At the other end of the AL Central Division, The Tigers were the only MLB team with a winning percentage under .300 (.296), as well as the only squad with a batting average under .200 (.199). 

Other AL surprises saw the Red Sox in first place in the NL East.  The Red Sox relied heavily on their offense – which recorded April’s third-highest team average, and scored the second-most runs  in the AL (trailing only the Astros). The BoSox’ offense was led by DH J.D. Martinez (.351-9-25) and 3B Rafael Devers (.293-7-21).  The BoSox were the only MLB team with two 20-RBI players in April. Among the table setters was OF Alex Verdugo (.300 with 19 runs scored). 

On the Road Again

The AL East-leading Red Sox were 8-8 at home and 9-2 on the road. 

Oakland stood atop the AL West, despite a negative-four run differential.  Houston, with the AL’s largest positive run differential (+31), ended April in third place – but trailed the A’;s by just 1 1/2 games.  Power played a role the A’s April success.  While Oakland had the AL’s fourth-worst April team batting average, they had the league’s third-most home runs and seventh-most runs scored.   Matt Olson led the team with seven April homers (.296-6-17) and the A’s had six additional hitters with at least three April  long balls.  

Talk About a Turn Around

The Oakland A’s lost seven of their first eight games this season – being outscored 59-19.  Then they turned it around, running up a 13-game winning streak in which they outscored the opposition 81-36 – while outhitting opponents .259 to .233, out-homering them 24 to 8 and putting up a 2.69 ERA to their opponents 6.31. 

Over in the National League, the West was “The Division of the Pitcher.” The Giants, Dodgers and Padres were in a tight race and those three were among only four MLB team’s with April earned run averages under 3.00.  The surprising Giants were in first place, and they have benefited from outstanding performance by their rotation.   Five of the six starters they have used have ERA’s under 2.50: Alex Wood – 1.50; Anthony DeSclafani – 1.50; Johnny Cueto (1.80); Kevin Gausman – 2.14; and Aaron Sanchez – 2.22. A revitalized Buster Posey (.361 with six homers in 17 games) has helped the attack – which features seven players with three or more April home runs. 

Over in the Central, the Brewers at 16-10 held sway through April – despite an injury-ravaged first month of the season. They entered May with a MLB-leading 14 players on the Injured List – not a category you really want to lead in. Like the West’s leaders, pitching is taking a key role. (The Brew Crew had NL’s lowest team batting average in April and scored the leagues’s fifth-fewest runs, but also gave up the third-fewest tallies.) Key contributors have been Corbin Burnes (2-2, 1.53); Brandon Woodruff (2-0, 1.55); Freddy Peralta (3-0-2.45) and, out of the bullpen, Josh Hader has notched five saves, sports a 0.93 ERA and has fanned 19 pf the 36 batter he has faced.

Run That By Me Again

No team in the National League played better than .500 ball in April – and the only NL East team with a positive run differential (the Marlins at +11) ended the month in last place. 

What can you say about the NL East?  It had no team over .500, was home to three of the of NL’s four lowest scoring teams and housed two of the NL’s most scored upon teams.  The Phillies, who sit atop the Division as of May 1, had a .500 record, were outscored through April by 15 runs, scored the NL’s third-fewest April runs and were in the middle of the pack (seventh) in April ERA. One bright spot,  It is MLB’s tightest division race, with just 1 1/2 games separating the five teams.  

————-April 2021  Team Statistical Leaders August——————-

RUNS SCORED. … MLB Average 108

National League – Diamondbacks (136); Reds (136); Dodgers (127)

American League –  Astros (131); Red Sox (129); White Sox (127)

The Mets scored the fewest runs in April (58); while the Tigers were at the bottom of the American league at 75.  The only other team to score fewer than 90 April runs was the Nationals (77). When you look at Runs Per Game in April, the Reds led at 5.44, while the Tigers were at the bottom at 2.78 (the only team under 3.00). Joining the Reds in scoring 5+ runs per game in April were the Diamondbacks (5.23); White Sox (5.08); and Astros (5.04).

BATTING AVERAGE … MLB Average .232

National League – Reds (.249);  Nationals (248); Diamondbacks (.237)

American League – White Sox (.265);  Angels (.262); Red Sox (.258)

The Tigers averaged an MLB-low .199 for the month.  The Brewers had the lowest average in the AL at .215. 

ON-BASE PERCENTAGE … MLB Average .309

National League – Dodgers (.340); Diamondbacks (.324); Braves (324)

American League – White Sox (.343); Red Sox (.325); Astros (.322)

Dodgers’ batters suffered through more HBP’s than any other team (23), followed by the Brewers (21). Rockies’ batters were plunked just three times  in April. 

HOME RUNS … MLB Average 29

National League –  Braves (38); Reds (38); Diamondbacks (36)

American League – Yankees (37); Blue Jays (35); A’s (33); Angels (33)

Despite the presence of the DH in the AL, NL teams held the top two spots in April home runs.  For those who like less “punch,” the Mets were at the bottom of the April HR list with just 15 homers.

WALKS DRAWN … MLB Average 84

National League – Dodgers (126); Padres (110);  Diamondbacks (106)

American League – Yankees (113); Rays (93); A’s (92)

The Padres hit into an MLB-high 29 double plays in April, the Royals into just ten 

STOLEN BASES …. MLB Average 12

National League – Padres (33); Marlins (18); Cubs (16); Phillies (16)

American League – Royals (22); Rangers (19); A’s (19)

I thought the pace was faster in the Big Apple.  The Mets stole the fewest stolen bases in April – just three in seven attempts.  The Yankees were next lowest – four steals in five April attempts.  

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS … MLB Average 222

National League – Brewers (262); Cubs (260); Dodgers (259)

American League –  Rangers (285); Tigers (280); Rays (273)

Mets’ batter fanned the least often in April – 172 times.  

EARNED RUN AVERAGE … MLB Average 3.98

National League – Padres (2.87); Mets (2.90); Giants (2.95); Dodgers (2.98)

American League – Yankees (3.09); Blue Jays (3.42); Red Sox (3.55)

The highest ERA for April belonged to the Angels at 5.13. In the National League that “high” (low?) mark for April went to the Braves at 4.97. 

STRIKEOUTS … MLB Average 231

National League – Padres (304); Dodgers (270); Brewers (268)

American League – Yankees (276); Red Sox (257); White Sox (251)

Whiff-Masters

Seven teams fanned at least ten batters per nine frames in April, led by the Padres at 11.2. 

WALKS (fewest) …. MLB Average 84

National League – Mets (54); Dodgers (70); Phillies (72)

American League – Twins (64);  Blue Jays (66); Yankees (67)

The Dodgers and Yankees walked the fewest batters per nine innings (2.6).

SAVES … MLB Average 6

National League – Giants (11); Padres (11); Dodgers (9)

American League – Rays (9); Royals (9); Mariners (8); Indians (8)

The Mets had just two saves in April. 

——-Individual Statistical Leaders for April ———-

Note:  In stats for which MLB has set qualifying standards, a must have accummulated at least 3.1 plate appearances for each game his team has played and a pitcher’s innings pitched must be at least equal fo one inning for each game his team has played.

AVERAGE (qualifying hitters)

National League – Jessie Winker, Reds (.370); Ronald Acuna, Jr.,Braves (.341): Brandon Nimmo, Mets (.339)

American League –  Mike Trout, Angels (.425); Yermin Mercedes (.415); J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (.351)

The lowest August average (among qualifiers) belonged to the Reds’ Eugenio Suarez at .130 (12-for-92). Twenty-two qualifying hitters hit under .200 for the month. 

HOME RUNS

National League – Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (8); Rhys Hoskins, Phillies (8); Ryan McMahon, Rockies (8)

American League –  J.D. Martinez (9); Byron Buxton, Twins (8); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (8)

No player had more at bats without a long ball in April than Angels’ 2B David Fletcher (106). Fletcher, in fact, had only two extra-base hits in the month (out of 27 hits) – both doubles.

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – Jesus Aguilar, Marlins (22); David Peralta, Diamondbacks (22); Justin Turner, Dodgers (20); Javier Baez Dodgers (20) 

American League – J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (25);  Nate Lowe, Rangers (22); Rafael Devers, Red Sox (21): Javier Baez, Cubs (20)

HITS

National League – Eric Hosmer, Padres (31); Justin Turner, Dodgers (31); Ronald Acuna, Jr. Braves (30)

American League – Yermin Mercedes, White Sox (34); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (340; J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (33)

DOUBLES

National League –  Ozzie Albies, Braves (9); Kris Bryant,Cubs (9); Nolan Arenado, Cardinals (8)

American League – Michael Brantley, Astros (10); J.D. Martinez, Reds Sox (10); Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (9); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (9); Luis Robert, White Sox (9); Kyle Seager, Mariners (9) 

TRIPLES

National League – David Peralta, Diamondbacks (4); Chris Owings, Rockies (3);  many with 2

American League – Akil Baddoo, Tigers (3); many with two

Mike Trout of the Angels led qualifying players in slugging percentage at .781, Ronald Acuna led NL qualifiers at .705.

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Jazz Chisholm, Jr., Marlins (7); seven with five.

American League – Ramon Laureano, A’s (8);  Whit Merrifield, Royals (8); Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (6)

Jazz Chisholm, Jr. of the Marlins had the most stolen bases without being caught in April (7).. 

WALKS

National League – Max Muncy, Dodgers (27); Freddie Freeman, Braves (19); Bryce Harper, Phillies (16); Asdrubal Cabrera (16); Anthony Rizzo,Cubs (16)

American League – Joey Gallo, Rangers (24); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (20); Robbie Grossman, Tigers (18)

Mike Trout had the highest on-base percentage among qualifying hitters at  .523.  

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Eugenio Suarez, Reds (40); Rhys Hoskins, Phillies (37); Javier Baez, Cubs (36); 

American League – Joey Gallo, Rangers (40); Matt Chapman, A’s (37); Randy Arozarena, Rays (35); 

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League – Jack Flaherty, Cardinals (4-0); Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (4-2)

American League – Aaron Civale, Indians (4-0); Carlos Rondon, White Sox (4-0); Eduardo Rodriguez, Red Sox (4-0); Gerrit Cole Yankees (4-1): Steven Matz, Blue Jays (4-1); Nathan Eovaldi, Red Sox (4-2)

The Cardinals’ Carlos Martinez, Indians’ Logan Allen  and Tigers’ Tarik Skubal led MLB in April  losses. Martinez went 1-4, 4.76; Skubal was 0-4, 6.14) and Allen was 1-4, 9.19. 

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (qualifiers, one inning pitched for each team game played)

National League – Jacob deGrom, Mets (0.51); Joe Musgrove, Padres (1.24); Trevor Rogers, Marlins (1.29)

American League – Carlos Rodon, White Sox (0.72); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (1.43); Tyler Glasnow, Rays (1.67)

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Jacob deGrom, Mets (59 / 35 IP); Trevor Bauer, Dodgers (52 / 40 IP); Colin Burnes (49 / 29 1/3 IP)

American League – Shane Bieber, Indians (68 / 41 1/3 IP); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (62 / 37 2/3 IP); Tyler Glasnow, Rays (56 / 37 2/3 IP)

SAVES

National League – Mark Melancon, Padres (9); Josh Hader, Brewers (7); Jake McGee, Giants (7)

American League – Matt Barnes, Red Sox (6); Diego Castillo, Rays (6); Cesar Valdez, Orioles (6)

Tyler Rogers (Giants), Tim Hill (Padres) and J.P. Feyereilsen (Brewers) made the moar mound appearances in April at 15. 

—–APRIL 2021 HIGHLIGHTS —-

Just a Walk in the Park

On Opening Day (April 1), The Mariners went into the bottom of the tenth inning tied at seven with the Giants.  The Mariners had scored six in the bottom of the eighth to come back from a 6-1 deficit – and the Giants tied it in the top of the ninth.  As per the goofy (that’s an editorial comment) MLB rule, the Mariners’ 1B Evan White started the bottom of the tenth inning at second base. Reliever Jose Alvarez walked CF Taylor Trammel and 2B Dylan Moore to load the bases with no outs. He then walked LF Jake Fraley – to give Fraley and the Mariners a true walk-off win – with the wining run scored by the only player who not only didn’t draw a walk that inning, but never saw a pitch.. Fraley, by the way had five plate appearances that day, drawing three walks, being hit by a pitch and lining out.  End of day, batting average .000, on-base percentage .800 and a game-winning RBI.

Not A Bad Way to Start the Season

On April 4, Tigers’ 22-year-old rookie outfielder Akil Baddoo (a Rule Five pickup form the Twins) made his major league debut – and became just the 31^st player in MLB history to hit a home run on the very first MLB pitch he ever saw (off Indians’ starter Aaron Civale) For more on that homer, click here.  Baddoo went one-for-three in the game, which the Tigers lost 9-3.  The very next day (April 5), Baddoo had a two-for-four game and hit his first MLB Grand Slam (as the Tigers lost to the Twins 15-6). The, on the very next day (April 6), Baddoo came on as a pinch runner in the eighth, stayed in the game and got a single at bat – producing his first-ever walk-off hit (an RBI single). as the Tigers topped the Twins 4-3 in ten frames.   Baddoo ended the month at .222-4-13.

The White Sox Yermin Mercedes had just one at bat (2020) coming into the 2021 season (a pinch hit round out.).  The 28-year-old, with an eight-season minor league average of .302, got his first MLB start on April 2 (at DH) and made the most of it.  His day?  It went like this: single; two-run single; single; single; two-run double.  A nice five-for-five on the day and season.  But he wasn’t done yet, he started at DH again on April 3 and went: solo home run; single, RBI double – before making his first out of the season on a fly ball to deep center.  Mercedes, according the the Elias Sports Bureau, is the first player in the modern era (post-1900) to being a season with base hits in his first eight at bats.  Mercedes finished April at ..415-5-16.

Kent Emanuel made his major-league debut for the Astro on April 25. The 28-year-old southpaw had toiled in the minor league since 2013 (after being drafted out of the University of North Carolina).  In seven minor-league campaigns he had gone 35-25, 4.77.  On April 25, he took a spot in the Astros’ bullpen hoping to make his MLB debut (he had been called up to the big club the day before).  He didn’t have to wait long.  Astros’ starter Jake Ordorizzi left after just one out and five pitches (forearm tightness) and Emanuel was heading to the mound. He acquitted himself well. Emanuel finished the game – tossing 8 2/3 innings of two-hit, two-run ball (no walks and five strikeouts) for the win.  In the process, he became just the fourth pitcher (according to STATS) in MLB history to pitch at least 8 2/3 innings of relief in their first MLB appearance.  (More proof of that “In baseball, we count everything.”)

Let Me Take Care of This

On April 6. 27-year-old right-hander Matt Peacock made his MLB debut for the Diamondbacks, coming on the eleventh inning of the Rockies/D-backs contest in Colorado. Peacock gave up two runs in his three innings of work – both unearned due to the rule starting each extra inning with a runner on second.  Still, he got the win in that first appearance – also contributing to the victory with his bat, singling and scoring as the Diamondbacks pushed across three runs in the top of the thirteenth (to earn a 10-8 win).

Three-for-Fourteen … In a Good Way

Photo by   jenniferlinneaphotography

  On April 6, Rockies’ 3B Ryan McMahon collected three homers and a double (for 14 total   bases), scored three times and drove in four. The 14 total bases tied the Rockies’ single-game     record. Despite McMahon’s heroics, the Rockies lost 10-8 to the Diamondbacks in 13 innings.   McMahon hit a solo home run when given the green light on a 3-0 pitch from Luke Weaver in   the bottom of the second;  launched another solo shot (on a 1-1 pitch) off Weaver in the fourth   inning; and poked solo homer (on a 1-2 pitch) off reliever Alex Young in the seventh. He got   three more at bats in the game and produced a line out to second base, a ground out to   shortstop and an RBI double.

No Foolin’ … Two April No Hitters

April 2021 saw two MLB no-hitters – there has never been more than two no-hitters in April in any MLB season.  (There have been two April no-hitters in eight different seasons.)

On April 9, right-hander Joe Musgrove tossed the first no-hitter in San Diego Padres’ history (at the time, the Padres were the only MLB team to never have a pitcher toss a no-hit game). The only runner to reach base in the Padres’ 3-0 victory over the Rangers was Texas’ RF Joey Gallo, who was hit by a pitch in the fourth inning. Musgrove fanned ten batters in the 112-pitch outing. Musgrove was traded by the Pirates to the Padres this past January.

The second 2021 no-hitter was fashioned on April 14 by White Sox’ southpaw Carlos Rodon – who came within two outs of a perfect game as his White Sox topped the Indians 8-0 in Chicago.  Rodon – who fanned seven in the 114-pitch outing – hit Indians’ C Roberto Perez with a pitch (on a one ball-two strike count) with one out in the ninth inning.  It was the White Sox’ 20th no-hitter, the most by any American League team (three short of the Dodgers’ overall MLB mark).

Long and Short Tales

The San Diego Padres played their first official MLB game on April 8, 1969.  The team didn’t have a pitcher toss a no-hitter until Joe Musgrove’s April 9, 2021 gem – 52 seasons and 20,506 games (including that Opening Day contest) later.  The Montreal Expos, on the other hand, played their first official MLB game on the same day as the Padres (April 8, 1969) and waited only nine games (ten days – including Opening Day) until their first no-hitter (tossed by Bill Stoneman on April 17).

Two – N0 three – For the Road

https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/
Photo:: Sports Crazy on Flickr

  On April 11 – as the Red Sox topped the Orioles 14-9 in Baltimore – Red Sox’ DH J.D. Martinez         notched 2021’s second three-homer game – with solo shots in the third, sixth and eighth innings.  It   was Martinez’ third three-homer contest – the previous two were for the Tigers and Diamondbacks.   In the process Martinez became one of just five players with three-homer games for three different   teams (Johnny Mize, Dave Kingman, Mark Teixeira and Alex Rodriguez).

Baseball Roundtable (No) Hit Parade Extra

On April 11, fast-pitch hurler Hope Trautwein tossed a “perfect” perfect game – striking out all 21 batters she faced in The University of North Texas’ 3-0 win over The University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff. 

On the Move

On April 14, as the Twins topped Boston 4-3 in Minnesota, Luis Arreaz collected four hits (in five at bats) out of the leadoff spot.  In the game, Arreaz was consistently “on the move” – taking the field in left field and at both third base and second base.

A Long Time A’Coming

On April 17, 36-year-old middle infielder Sean Kazmar, Jr. appeared as a pinch-hitter for the Atlanta Braves in a 13-4 loss to the Cubs in Chicago.  It was a big moment for Kazmar – his last at bat in the major leagues had come on September 23, 2008 – 12-years, six-months and 25 days (and 1,106 minor-league games) ago.  Kazmar – signed by the Padres in 2004 MLB draft (out of the College of Southern Nevada) – appeared in 19 games for San Diego as a 23-year-old in the 2008 season (hitting .205-0-2). As of April 17, his pro career consisted of 20 MLB games and 1,670 minor league contests.  Kazmar was called up after an injury (HBP) to the Braves’ 2B Ozzie Albies.

The all-time record (post-1900), according to the Elias Sport Bureau, for time between MLB appearances belongs to pitcher Paul Schreiber, who went 22 years and two days between appearances for the 1923 Dodgers (September 2) and 1945 Yankees September 8).  Schreiber’s career included 301 minor-league pitching appearances and 12 in the majors.  He pitched a total of 20 1/3 MLB innings to a 0-0 record and a 3.98 ERA. Schreiber had retired as a player in 1932, and had gone on to a coaching (and batting practice pitching) role for the Yankees.  He was activated (as a player) by the Yankees in 1945 when the World War II depleted the Yankee pitching staff.

Just Try to Hit My Change

On April 16, Twins’ utility man Willians “la Tortuga” Astudillo (primarily a catcher, but who has played every position except SS in his four-season MLB career) took the mound for the Minnesota Twins (down to the Angels 10-3) in the bottom of the eighth inning.  He pitched a clean (1-2-3) inning, retiring the Angles on just seven pitches. His fastball topped out at an unimpressive 72.5 mph, but the difference in speeds he delivered was solid.  His change up (we assume it was an intentional change up) was clocked at 46 mph – a true change from  his “heater.” Side note:  46 mph was the slowest Astudillo pitch measured. Reportedly, he tossed a couple of pitches too slow for Statcast to track.

Burnes Brings the Heat – and Applies It Right on the Spot

Photo: Ian D’Andrea on Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons

 Brewers’ righty Corbin Burnes opened the 2021 season on a roll. Not only did he     fan 49 batters in his five April starts (29 1/3 innings).  He accomplished all those   whiffs without issuing a single base on balls. Burnes faced a total of 106 batters   without issuing a free pass – striking out 46.2 percent of those batsmen. According   to the Elias Sport Bureau, the previous record (for a starter) for strikeouts before       issuing a first walk of the season was 35 (Adam Wainwright, 2013).  Burnes finished   April with an 2-2  record, a 1.53 ERA and a microscopic  0.55 WHIP. He now holds   the record for strikeouts before the first walk of the season for a starting pitcher   and is within one whiff of reliever Kenley Jansen’s season-opening record for a   pitcher in any role.  Unfortunately, Burnes begins May on the IL. 

Three-for-One!

In the eighth inning of the Reds’ April 17 win against the Indians (in Cincinnati), Reds’ first baseman Joey Votto started the first triple play of the 2021 season – and it came at a most opportune time. The Reds were trailing 2-1 and the Indians were looking to extend the margin (runners on first and third and no outs).  Indians’ 1B Josh Naylor nailed (pun intended) a liner that Votto snatched on the fly. Votto then dove to the bag to double off Indians’ RF Franmil Reyes, who had been on first. Indians’ LF Eddie Rosario (on third), who mistakenly thought Votto made the catch after the ball hit the ground, had crossed the plate during the play at first and was on his way to the Indians’ dugout. Votto tossed to Reds’ 3B Max Schrock to complete the triple killing. The play held the score at 2-1 and the Reds went on to win 3-2 in ten innings.

Put Me in Coach

Between April 11 and April 22, the Giants started Curt Casali (signed as a free-agent this January) behind the plate five times – and all five contests resulted in zero tallies for the opponents.  According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that made Casali just one of five catchers to backstop shutouts in at least five consecutive starts.   Curt Casali started nine games behind the plate for the Giants this April.  In those contests, San Francisco is 8-1, with a 1.37 earned run average.  In games not started by Casali at catcher, the Giants are 8-8, with an ERA of 3.76.  For more on Casali’s streak, click here.

Whiff ‘N Poof

Photo by slgckgc 

 On April 18, the Indians’ Shane Bieber fanned 13 batters in eight innings as the Indians topped   the Reds 6-3 in Cincinnati, (Bieber gave up three runs on six hits and two walks.) In the process,   he tied the record for strikeouts in the first four starts of a season (Yes, as I’ve said before … In   baseball, we count everything)  fanning 48 batters in 29 1/3 innings. (Nolan Ryan fanned 48 in   his first four 1978 starts.)  Well, on April 23, the Mets’ Jacob deGrom pushed Ryan and Bieber off   the top of the record books. In a complete-game, two-hit shutout (over the Nationals) deGrom   fanned 15 batters – giving him 50 whiffs in his first four 2012 starts (29 innings).

It’s in The Genes

On April 23, 1999, Cardinals’ 3B Fernando Tatis set an MLB record by hitting two Grand Slams in one inning (the third) – as the Cardinals topped the Dodgers 12-5 in Los Angeles. (Most surprising to BBRT is that Chan Ho Park was in the game long enough to give up both blasts.) On April 23 of this season, Fernando Tatis, Jr. – SS for the Padres – hit a pair of homers (off Dodgers’ ace Clayton Kershaw). Although they were solo shots and not in the same inning, they did seem to reflect a family tradition.

A Four-by-Four

On April 23, the Rays’ Tyler Glasgow became the 88^th pitcher to notch four strikeouts in an inning.  It’s been done 92 times – with the only Chuck Finley (three times), A.J. Burnett (twice) and Zack Greinke (twice) “accomplishing” the feat more than once. (There was one additional four-strikeout inning, but it involved two pitchers.  The Mets’ Jerry Blevins and Addison Reed combined for four whiffs in the ninth inning of a Mets game on April 17, 2016,.) Glasnow accomplished the feat in the top of the first inning of the Jays/Rays game. His victims were Cavan Biggio, Bo Bichette, Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. (who reached first after swinging at a wild pitch) and Danny Jansen. Despite the four whiffs, Glasnow had a tough inning – giving up four runs on four hits and a walk.  According to STATS, that tied the MLB record for most runs surrendered in a four-whiff frame (joining Doc White, Phillies, July 21, 1902). Glasnow settled down after the first inning, going six innings (five hits, two walks, five runs and ten strikeouts) – but taking the loss as the Blue Jays prevailed 5-3.

That’s a No-NO …. No, No, It Isn’t

On April 25, Madison Bumgarner (now of the Diamondbacks, that doesn’t seem right) tossed a complete game, no-hit shutout against the potent Braves’ lineup.  But wait, it was the second game of one of those seven-innings each doubleheaders – which meant is didn’t qualify under MLB rules as a no-hitter (has to be nine innings). So, despite facing the minimum number of hitters (in this case 21, one batter reached on an error but was erased on a double play), Bumgarner’s gem will not be listed among MLB no-no’s.  

Move Over Babe

On April 26, the Angels Shohie Ohtani started on the mound for the Angels (against the Rangers) – and batted second in the lineup.  On that day he also happened to be the MLB 2021 co-leader in home runs with seven.  The last time a pitcher started a game while leading MLB in long balls?  Babe Ruth on June 13, 1921 (according to the Elias Sports Bureau).  Ohtani, by the way, went two-for-three, with three runs scored and two RBI – and got the pitching victory, giving up four runs in five innings (three hits, two walks and nine strikeouts). 

Three-for-Three

On April 27, Blue Jays ‘ 1B Vlad Guerrero, Jr. personally demolished the Washington Nationals – as the Blue Jays topped the Nats 9-5 in Toronto.  Guerrero enjoyed a three-homer, seven-RBI day – becoming the third player to have a three-homer day this April. Notably, the 22-year-old Guerrero did not “prey on the weak.”  After grounding into a double play to end the first inning, he hit a Grand Slam (on a 2-1 pitch) off Washington ace Max Scherzer in the bottom of the third; took Scherzer deep again (on a 3-2 pitch) leading off the fifth; and hit a two-run shot off Kyle Finnegan (on a 1-1 offering) in the seventh. 

The Three-Homer Tidbits

The youngest player ever to hit three homers in a game was the Tigers’ Al Kaline, who accomplished the feat on April 17, 1955 at the age of 20 years-119 days.  The oldest was Stan Musial (on July 8, 1962) at 41 years-229 days. 

Nice Round Numbers

On April 30,  as the Reds topped the Cubs 8-6 in Cincinnati, Reds’ 1B Joey Votto hit his fifth home run of the season and 300th of his career – a two-run shot in the bottom of the third inning  that gave the Reds their first lead.  Votto finished the game three-for-four, with one run scored and three RBI.  

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

Baseball Roundtable Disclaimer:  The MLB records referenced in this (and previous) posts have the potential to change as Major League Baseball recognizes and incorporates Negro League records from 1920-46 into the MLB record book.

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