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

Notably, there was plenty to write about for July:

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

For the stats and stories, read on.

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

BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE JULY PLAYERS/PITCHERS OF THE MONTH

NATIONAL LEAGUE

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

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

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

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

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

Pitcher of the Month … Corbin Burnes, RHP, Brewers

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

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

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Player of the Month … Kyle Tucker, RF, Astros

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

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

Pitcher of the Month … Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Rays

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

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

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Surprise Player(s) of the Month 

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

The Roundtable went with a couple of rookies here.

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

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

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THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE

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

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

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

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

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

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

RUNS SCORED

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

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

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

AVERAGE

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

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

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

HOME RUNS

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

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

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

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

STOLEN BASES

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

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

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

WALKS DRAWN

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

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

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

BATTERS’ STRIKEOUTS

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

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

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

Bonus Stats

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

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Earned Run Average

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

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

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

STRIKEOUTS

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

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

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

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED

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

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

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

SAVES

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

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

Bonus Stats:

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

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—–JULY HIGHLIGHTS —- –

Abreu Hits number 250

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

More Complete-Game Shutouts

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

One for the Record Books

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

Three-for-Four

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

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

Players with Multiple Four-Strikeout Innings

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

 

I’ll Have the Combination Plate

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

Stop, Thief

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

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

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

 

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

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

Max Carey ( 2X), Pirates                                        1923, 1925

Jackie Tavener (2X), Tigers                                  1927, 1928

 

Machado Rolls a 300

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

Yeah, You Can Tell They’re Brothers 

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

More #InBaseballWeCountEverything

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

13 Can Be A Lucky Number

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

Wow.  Eons ago, in a Faraway Baseball Galaxy

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

Mets 11- White Sox 10;

Diamondbacks 16 – Braves 13

Royals 11 – Tigers 10

Giants 11-Red 10

Here are the previous instances:

July 4, 1894

Colts (Chicago) 16 – Phillies 10

Pirates 13 – Beaneaters (Boston) 11

Phillies 12 – Colts 11

Giants 12 – Spiders (Cleveland) 11

July 9, 1894

Orioles 14 – Pirates 10

Spiders 16 – Senators 15

Colts 13- Beaneaters 11

Phillies 11 –  Browns 10

Turn Up the Contrast

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

A Swing and a Miss … and he Slides into Third

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

I Can Do You One Better

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

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

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

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

Conjugate This  – Fast, Fastest, Fastest

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

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

Variety is the Spice of Life

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

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

The Century Mark

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

Give Me Five, Bro

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

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

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

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

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

Happy Birthday, Mom

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

There’s Always a Shohei Show to Report

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

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

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

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

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

Take It Easy, Boys,  I Got This

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

A Burger and (Big) Flies

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

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

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

Verlander Hits the 250 Mark

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

 

Happy Birthday To Me

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

____________________________________

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

_____________________________________________

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

_____________________________________________________

 

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

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

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

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

 

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Bad news can come in threes – even if you’re a Hall of Famer like Three like Stan Musial or Brooks Robinson.  Further, bad news can find you on July 28 – again, even if you’re a Hall of Famer like Stan Musial  or Brooks Robinson. That date marks two unlikely outcomes – the only time that Musial struck out three times in a game and the only time Robinson made three errors in a contest.  I’ve touched on these instances in the past. In this post, I’ll add a little more detail.

Stan Musial’s Three Whiffs… July 28, 1963

Sixty year ago today, Musial recorded the only three-strikeout game of his career. In his 22 MLB seasons, Musial fanned only 696 times.  It came in the career .331 hitter’s final season – and in his 2,980th MLB game. Further, the strikeouts came in three consecutive plate appearances (Musial’s only trips to the batter’s box in the game).

The three-strikeout game came in the first game of a Cardinals/Cubs doubleheader at Wrigley Field. Twenty-three-year-old southpaw Dick Ellsworth (on his way to a 22-10, 2.11 season for the Cubs) started for Chicago.  Musial started in LF, batting sixth. Here’s how it went:

In the second inning, with the scored tied 0-0, Ellsworth fanned  Musial with no one on base and one out.

In the fourth inning, with the score tied 1-1, a runner on second a no outs, Ellsworth again fanned Musial.

In the sixth inning, with the Cardinals trailing 2-1, a runner on second and two out, Ellsworth whiffed Musial to end the frame.

In the bottom of the sixth, Cardinals’ starting RF Charlie James moved to LF, Gary Koth came into to play RF and Musial went to the bench. 

The Cubs, by the way, won 5-1 and Ellsworth pitched a complete-game, seven-hitter, with one walk and ten strikeouts.

How unexpected was Musial’s three-whiff game?  Well, Musial fanned just 696 times in 3,026 games (12,721 plate appearances). Put away your calculators, I’ll do the math – that translates to one strikeout every 4.3 games or every 18.3 plate appearances.

Ellsworth, by the way, faced Musial in a total of 12 games and – in 32 plate appearances – Musial hit just .219 against him, with ten strikeouts (more than five times Musial’s career strikeout rate).  To be fair, all those plate appearances came in Musial’s final four MLB seasons –  his age 39-42 campaigns.

Baseball’s Up and Downs

Southpaw Dick Ellsworth, who went 22-10, 2.11 in 1963 (when he fanned Stan Musial three times in one game) had lost twenty games the year before (9-20, 5.09). In his 13-season MLB career (1958, 1960-71), Ellsworth went 115-137, 3.72.  He won more games than he lost in just two seasons. In the 1963 season, when he fanned Stan Musial three times in one game, Ellsworth recorded his career-bests in wins (22), earned run average (in qualifying seasons … 2.11), games started (37), complete games (19), shutouts (4), innings pitched (290 2/3) and strikeouts (185),  

A little refresher on why Hall of Famer Stan Musial was “The Man.”  He was an All Star in 20 seasons (24 selections), a three-time Most Valuable Player (finishing in the top two in MVP balloting seven times) and a seven-time batting champion. He finished with a .331 average (3,630 hits), 475 home runs, 1,951 RBI and 1,949 runs scored. He led the NL in hits six times, doubles eight times and triples five times, total bases six times, on-base percentage six times, slugging percentage six times and intentional walks five times.

So-o-o Close to an Offensive Sweep

In 1948, Stan Musial led the National League in average (.376), hits (230), doubles (46), triples (18), runs scored (135), RBI (131), on-base percentage (.450), slugging percentage (.702), and total bases (429).  Musial’s 39 home runs that season,  fell just one long ball short of NL home run leaders Ralph Kiner and Johnny Mize  Notably, Musial lost one homer to a rain out that season.  Without that rain out, Musial would have had an offensive sweep, Oh, and he struck out just 34 times in 698 plate appearances. 

From those who saw Musial play:

• “He could have hit .300 with a fountain pen.”  (Joe Garagiola)
• “How good was Stan Musial? He was good enough to take your breath away.” (Vin Scully)
• “I had pretty good success with Stan by throwing him my best pitch and backing up third.”  (Carl Erskine)
• “Once Musial timed your fastball, your infielders were in jeopardy.” (Warren Spahn)

___________________________________________________

Brooks Robinson’s Three Boots …  July 28, 1971

Sixteen-time Gold Glover Brooks Robinson made just 263 errors in his 23 MLB seasons. However, on July 28, 1971 (eight years, to-the-day after Stan Musial’s only three-strikeout game), Robinson had the only three-error game of his career. Even more surprising, all three errors came in the same inning, in a span of two batters.

It all came down with the A’s batting against Robinson’s Orioles in the top of the fifth inning of a scoreless game.

It started out harmlessly enough, with Orioles’ starter Mike Cueller getting the first two A’s batters (the number seven and eight hitters).  Cueller then walked A’s pitcher Blue Moon Odom.  Speedy SS CF Bert Campaneris bunted for a base hit, but (attempting to make the play) Robinson threw the ball past first baseman Boog Powell for an error that let Odom go to third and Campaneris to second. Next up was CF George Hendricks, who grounded to third.   Robinson fumbled the grounder (error number two) and then threw wildly to first (error number three). Odom and Campaneris both scored and Hendrick ended up on second base. Cueller then RF fanned Reggie Jackson to end the inning.

The score stayed 2-0 until the bottom of the ninth when Frank Robinson bailed out Brooks by rapping a three-run, walk-off home run off A’s closer Rollie Fingers.

A Bad Day at the Office

In Brooks Robinson’s only career three-error day, he also accounted for five outs in three  trips to the plate (that number three again). He popped out to the catcher leading off the bottom of the second; hit into a 6-4-3 double play to end the fourth; and hit into a  6-4-3 double play in the seventh. 

How unexpected was Robinson’s three-error day (inning)? Again, Robinson was a 16-time Gold Glover, who made just one error each 10.9 games over his career. (It’s also one error every 34.8 chances – .971 fielding percentage). He committed more than one error in just 14 games (once in every 205 contests). In 1971, he would win the twelfth of his sixteen consecutive Gold Gloves and make just sixteen errors in 156 games.

Robinson was the  1964 AL Most Valuable Player and an All Star in 15 seasons. He finished with a .267-268-1,357 career stat line. He is the all-time leader at third base in games played, putouts, assists and double plays.  He led AL third sackers in fielding percentage 11 times, putouts four times, assists nine times and double plays four times.

From those who saw him play:

• “I’m beginning to see Brooks in my sleep. If I dropped a paper plate, he’d pick it up on one hop and throw me out at first.” (Sparky Anderson)
• “Brooks Robinson belong in a higher league.” (Pete Rose
• “He’s not at his locker yet, but four guys are over there interviewing his glove.” (Rex Barney)
• “I will become a left-handed hitter to keep the ball away from that guy.”  (Johnny Bench)

 

Primary Resources … Baseball-reference.com; NationalPastime.com; Baseball-Almanac.com

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On this Date (July 17) in 1914, 23-year-old righty Charles “Babe” Adams started for the Pirates against future Hall of Famer Rube Marquard (of the Giants).  To that point in the season, Adams had gone 7-9, 1.96 – and had walked only 22 batters in 142 1/3 innings pitched (1.4 walks per nine innings). He would be a lot stingier with the free passes on that day.  Adams, in fact, would set the MLB record for the most innings pitched in a single outing without giving up a walk.  Adams went the distance in a 21-inning, 3-1 Pirates’ loss (the Giants’ Marquard also pitched the full 21 innings). In the 21 frames, Adams gave up just 12 hits – and zero walks – while fanning six,. Marquard gave up 15 hits and two walks, while fanning just two. The game was tied at one apiece after 20 innings, but the Giants got to Adams for two in the top of the 21st – on a single by CF Bob Bescher and an inside-the-park homer by 2B Larry Doyle.

Adams pitched in 19 MLB seasons (1906-07, 1909-16, 1918-26).  He pitched for the Pirates in all but the 1906 season (Cardinals). Adams went 194-140, 2.76 and led the NL in fewest walks per nine innings in four straight seasons (1919-22), finishing the league’s top-three in the category in nine times.  Side note:  If Adams came back to the mound and walked 160 straight batters, he would still have a better career walks-per-nine innings ratio than Hall of Fame corner-painter Greg Maddux.

As always, when Baseball Roundtable researches  a topic, one thing always seem to lead to another – and, this time, it led to three trivia questions that can all be answered “Babe Adams.”  We’ll get back to our originally scheduled topic – walk-stingy hurlers – but first a look at some Babe Adams not so trivial trivia.

• Who was the first rookie to start a deciding Game Seven of a World Series?
• Who was the first pitcher to throw a shutout in a deciding seventh game of a World Series?
• Who was the fist rookie to win three games in a single World Series?

Adams came into the 1909 seasons having had brief  MLB “looks” in 1906-07 — no wins, three losses, 7.96 ERA in five games (so, his rookie status was intact.). Pitching in the minors in Louisville in 1908, he went 22-12. In 1909, he stuck with the Pirates, getting in 25 games (12 starts/seven complete games) and putting up a 12-3, 1.11 record.  Adams was far from the star of the Pirates’ staff, which included Howie Camnitz (25-6, 1.62), Vic Willis (22-11, 2.24) and Lefty Leifield (19-8, 2.37).  But manager Fred Clarke like liked Adam’s steady composure on  the mound, his strong finish to the season and how the rookie’s  stuff  and style matched up against the Tigers.  So, Adams got the Game One start and the rest is history.

Adams earned complete-game wins in Games One and Five, giving up just four earned runs. Then came the deciding Game Seven.  (The World Series’ first-ever deciding seventh game.) Adams again went the distance, shutting out the Tigers on six hits (one walk and one whiff).  Thus, he pitched and threw a shutout to win the first deciding Game Seven (as a rookie) and also became the first rookie to win three games in a best-of-seven World Series.

Back to our Originally Scheduled Topic … How about 22 Innings Without a Walk?

While Babe Adams holds the single-pitcher, single-game record for most innings pitched without issuing a walk, on  August 23, 1989, the Expos’ staff set an MLB record by going 22 innings without issuing a single walk (intentional or non-intentional).  The Dodgers, who had 20 hits in the game (the Expos had 13) won the contest on a Rick Dempsey home run (off Dennis Martinez) in the top of the 22^nd frame. In the game, Montreal starter Pascual Perez went the first eight innings and only went to a three-ball count on one batter (3-2 before fanning Dodgers’ LF Lenny Harris in the first frame). In fact, over the first 18 innings, Expos’ hurlers – they used six in the game –  reached three balls on only three batters.  (The Baseball-Reference.com pitch-by-pitch only goes through the first 18 innings, so I need to do a bit more research on this one.) 

Side Note: In this game, Youppi – the Expos’ mascot –  was ejected in the 11th inning. (Perhaps he had a date.)

More on Stingy Pitcher .s

Here’s another trivia question:  “What qualifying pitcher has the lowest single-season walks per nine innings mark since the four-ball walk rule was instituted?” (Four balls became a walk in 1888, prior to that walks were – at varying times – nine, eight, six and five balls. Thanks to great research by Society for American Baseball Research member Richard Hershberger.)  The answer? Carlos Silva, who – as a Twin in 2005 – walked just nine batters (and one of those was intentional) in 188 1/3 innings – a stingy 0.430 walks per nine frames rate.  Note: Baseball-Reference.com indicates Negro League rankings are not yet complete. 

You could follow up this question with: “How many right-handed hitters did Carlos Silva walk in 2005?”  The answer is one – the Tigers’ Craig Monroe – and that was Silva’s one intentional walk.  So, not a single righty was able to “work him” for a walk all-season.  Monroe, by the way, drew only 40 walks in 623 plate appearance n 2005.   You might also be interested to know that Silva is the only pitcher – among the 25 best single-season walks per nine rates – whose landmark season came after the four-ball walk rule came into effect.

Silva pitched nine MLB seasons (2002-10 … Phillies, Twins, Mariners, Cubs) and went 70-70, 4.68. He walked 238 batters in 1,241 2/3 innings – 1.5 per nine frames.

Another One Thing Leads to Another  – No “True Outcomes”

Looking at walks takes you right into – in today’s terminology – the “Three True Outcomes.”  That would be walks, strikeouts and home runs – which have become an increasingly frequent part of the national pastime.

I decided to go on a search (Baseball-Reference.com and Retrosheet.org) for games in which there were no “True Outcomes.” Focusing on the Modern Era – post 1900 – I was only able to confirm two games of at least nine innings in which neither team recorded a walk, a strikeout or a home run.

On August 28, 1924 – as the Indians topped the White Sox  7-0 in the first game of a double header – the two teams combined for 21 hits, seven runs and four errors – but not a single walk, whiff or long ball.  The White Sox had eight hits (seven singles and a double), while the Indians knocked 13 hits, including two doubles and a triple. The winning pitcher was Sherry Smith (nine innings pitched, eight hits and, of course, no walks or strikeouts), while the losing hurler was Hollis Thurston (eight innings pitched, 13 hits, seven runs/five earned). The second game of that twin bill, by the way, also saw no round trippers, but did include a combined total of 16 walks and ten strikeouts. 

On June 20, 1922, as the Braves topped the Robins (Dodgers)in Boston 3-2, the two squads put up a combined 16 hits and three errors, but no walks, strikeouts or home runs. All five runs in the contest were unearned. The winning pitcher in this one was Dana Fillingim, who gave up seven hits and two unearned runs in nine innings.  The loser was Leon Cadore (eight innings, nine hits, three unearned runs.) Each team had just one extra base hit – a double. The day after their no true outcome contest, the two teams combined for just one run (Robins 1 – Braves 0) on 14 hits, no home runs, four walks and six whiffs.

Primary Resource:  Baseball-Reference.com

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The new MLB rules, how are they working for you?

The Roundtable surveyed readers when the new rules were announced in March.  Now that we’ve had half a season to see them in play, we want to follow up and get your reactions. The brief survey also looks at some recent (pre-2023) rule changes, as well as a potential change on the horizon (electronic ball/strike calls)  Click here to take the survey.

George Mullin’s July 4, 1912 no-hitter was one for the books.  In shutting down the St. Louis Browns 7-0 (five hits and five walks), Mullin:

• Tossed the Tigers’ first-ever no-hitter;
• Pitched just the second MLB Independence Day no-hitter;
• Became the first – and still only – MLB pitcher to throw a no-hitter on his birthday (Mullin was born on July 4, 1880);
• Went three-four-four at the plate, with a double and an RBI.

Mullin had a 14-season MLB career (1902-15), pitching for the Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators, Indianapolis Hoosiers (Federal League) and Newark Pepper (FL).  He won twenty or more games in six seasons, including an American League-leading 29 (eight losses, 2.22 earned run average) in 1909. From 1905 through 1911, he averaged 21 wins and fifteen losses per season for the Tigers, with a 2.71 ERA. Over the same period, he averaged 308 innings pitched per season (Mullin pitched more than 300 innings in six seasons during his career). His career line was 228-196, 2.82 and he completed 353 of 428 starts,  He also pitched in seven World Series games (1907-08-09), going 3-3, 2.02 and completing all six of his World Series starts.

As a hitter, Mullin had a .262-3-139 line in 1,531 at bats. He hit .280 or better in four seasons, topping .300 twice (.325 in 1902 and .312 in 1914).

Primary Resource:  Baseball-Reference.com

 

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

• A Perfect Game;
•  Two cycles;
• A player chasing .400 and recording three five-for-five days in the month;
•  A player hitting 15 home runs and striking out 37 batters;
• A player getting a game-tying and game-winning hit in his MLB debut;
• Two games in London;
• One player getting his 300th homer, another his 2000th hit;
• Two more complete-game shutouts;
• One team hitting an NL-record (for any month) 61 homers;
• One team hitting over .300 for the month – and another team’s pitching staff being hit for a .300+ average;
• One team with an ERA north of 6.00; and
• More.

Location, Location, Location

The Twins, located in the AL Central Division, ended June with a 41-42 record on the season and in first place.  The Red Sox, located in the AL East, ended June also at 41-42 – in last place 15 games out. 

You’ll find these and other stories from June in the Highlights Section, but first,  the Players and Pitchers of the Month.

–——BB ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS AND PITCHERS OF THE MONTH——-

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Player of the Month – (Tie)  Luis Arreaz, 2B, Marlins & Ronald Acuna, Jr., RF, Braves

Baseball Roundtable is swayed by “bright and shiny things.”  One of those things is a.400 average.  So, enter he Marlins’ Luis Arreaz.  A .406 average for the month, an MLB-leading 43 hits (two homers/19 RB/17 runs scored). Arreaz notched 11 multi-hit games in June – including three five-for-five contests. The spray hitter is clearly a major factor in the Marlins’ surprising showing  thus far in 2023. As June ended, his average on the season was .390.

The Braves’ Ronald Acuna, Jr. continued his MVP-level performance with  a .356-9-22 month, finishing second in the NL in June in average (among players with at least 60 at bats); hits (37), homers, runs scored (26) and RBI (tied) – while also stealing an MLB-best 14 bases.

Honorable Mentions: Ketel Marte of the Diamondbacks.  Martel hit a solid .315 in June, poked  seven home runs, tied for the second-most NL June RBI with 22 and led MLB in June runs scored with 30. He gets extra credit for the fact that his walks (20) outpaced his whiffs (18). The Roundtable also give a shout out to  the Diamondbacks’ Corbin Carroll. The 22-year-old put up a .291-8-22 June, with eight steals in eight attempts.

Pitcher of the Month – (Tie)

Blake Snell, LHP, Padres & Eury Perez, RHP, Marlins

Blake Snell went 3-1, 0.87 in five June starts – while fanning an MLB high 53 batters in 31 innings. He whiffed ten or more batters in four of his five starts – and his month included victories over the Rays and Giants. He gave Just one home run in 31 innings. and held hitters to a .1214 average.

Twenty-year-old rookie Eury Perez made five June starts, went 3-0 and put up the lowest earned run average  – a minuscule 0.32 – among pitchers with at least 25 June innings. He gave up just 18 hits and one run  in 28 innings, holding hitters to a .178 average – with a little run support he could have been 5-0 (in his two no-decisions, the Marlins scored just one run.)

Honorable Mentions:  Taijuan Walker of the Phillies. Hard not to recognize the only MLB pitcher to notch five wins in June.  Walker went 5-1, with a 1.50 earned run average in six starts. Walker went six or more innings in four of his six starts and gave up more than one run only once.  Dodgers’ southpaw Clayton Kershaw,  went 4-0 in five June starts, with a 1.09 earned run average. Reds’ rookie Andrew Abbot also went 4-0, with a 1.21 ERA in five starts.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Player of the Month – Shohei Ohtani, DH, Angels

Easy call here. Ohtani led MLB in June homers with 15 and RBI with 29. He also led American  Leaguers with at least 60 June at bats with a .394 average, In addition, he scored 27 runs (tops in the AL), had 41 hits (tops in the AL) and legged out three triples (tied for tops in the AL). Ohtani had ten multi-hit games during the month and ten multi-RBI games.  In addition (and this didn’t figure into his Player of the Month selection, he went 2-2, 3.26 on the mound, fanning 37 batters (fifth-best in the AL) in 30 1/3 innings (five starts). The man is playing in a league of his own.

Honorable Mentions: Cleveland 3B Jose Ramirez hit .340 in June, with seven home runs (tied for third-best in the AL)  and 23 RBI (fourth-best). He also walked more often (23 times) than he struck out (13) and stole four bases in five tries. Rangers’ SS Corey Seager went .369-5-25 (with a league-topping 14 doubles) for the month.

Pitcher of the Month – Kevin Gausman, RHP, Blue Jays

The American League’s only four-game winner in June (4-1, 2.97 in six starts), Gausman went at least six innings in all but one of his starts and had three starts of ten or more strikeouts (11, 12 and 13).  Gausman fanned an AL-high 50 June batters (in 36 1/3 innings).

Honorable Mentions:  The Blue Jays’ Jordan Romano saved 12 games in 12 opportunities, putting up a 2.84 ERA and fanning 14 in 12 2/3 innings. The Red Sox’ James Paxton went 3-0, 1.74 in five starts and fanned 34 batters in 31 innings.

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Surprise of the Month – Josh Sborz, RHP, Rangers

The 29-year-old Sborz came into the season with a 5-4, 4.85 record over four seasons (2019-22) and 93 MLB appearances.  In April and May, he went  1-2, 4.76 (three holds, one blown save) for the Rangers. In June, he may have been the most valuable arm out of the Rangers’ pen.  In 10 games, he recorded three wins (no losses) and six holds (one blown save).  He put up a 0.55 earned run average, gave up just three hits, fanned 22 batters and walked just two in 16 1/3 innings – holding hitters to a 0.77 batting average.

Honorable Mentions: Reds’ 23-year-old rookie SS Matt McLain, who made his MLB debut May 15, hit .287 in June, with five homers,  20 runs scored and  19 RBI. (He does need to work on plate discipline – five walks and 33 whiffs – which makes the .287 average even surprising).

Location, Location, Location

Spencer Strider, located on the Braves’ staff, had a 5.46 June ERA, but went 4-0. in five starts  Johan Oviedo, put up a 3.23 ERA in June, but went 0-4 in five starts. 

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TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE

Through June 30,  35.5 percent of the MLB season’s 93,601 plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We’re talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher’s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here’s the breakout: strikeouts (22.7%); walks (8.6%); home runs (3.1%); HBP (1.1%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). Strikeouts, by the way, outnumbered base hits 21, 142 – 20,598.

The 35.5 percent figure is up from 2022’s full season 34.6 percent.  Other recent seasons: 2021 – 36.3 percent; 2020 –  37.3 percent;  2019 – 36.2 percent; and 2018 – 34.8 percent.  By further comparison, in 1990, the Trot Index was 26.1 percent.  

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Notably, the top five W-L records in June belonged to NL teams – led by the Braves at 21-4. The Braves caught fire in June, leading MLB in home runs (61 – an NL team record for any month), batting average (.307) and run scored (175).  The value of that offense is reflected in the fact that their ERA was about in the middle of the NL (3.87 – tied for sixth).  Key June contributors were MVP candidate RF Ronald Acuna, Jr. at .356-9-22, with 14 steals;  2B Ozzie Albies (.278-7-20); 1B Matt Olson (.272-11-25) and LF Eddie Rosario (.325-9-22).  Overall, the Braves outscored their opponents 175-104 for the month.  Through the month, the Braves only once lost two in a row – and had winning streaks of 7, 8 and 6 games (still active).

The Phillies and Giants had strong months at 18-8, both balancing pitching and offense. The Giants enjoyed a 10-game winning streak (June 11-21), while the Phillies twice won six straight during the month (June 3-9 & June 13-18).

The Reds’ surprising(18-9) month of June was highlighted by a 12-game winning streak, during which they notched six one-run victories. Surprisingly, for a team with the third-most June wins, the Reds had  a 5.03 earned run average for the month (third-worst in the NL) and the NL’s sixth-best batting average. They did, however, have the NL’s second-most long balls.

No player on the Reds had more than six round trippers in  June. Ten Reds had at least three.

Youth was served on the Reds.  Among the key players were 23-year-old rookie SS/2B Matt McLain (.287-5-19); 21-year-old rookie SS/3B Elly De La Cruz (.307-3-12, with 20 runs scored and nine steals in 21 games); 25-year-old 1B Spencer Steer (rookie status still intact for 2023) at .270-5-20 for June; 25-year-old LF Will Benson (.350 in 22 games – in his second MLB season): and 24-year-old rookie pitcher Andrew Abbott ( 4-0, 1.21 in five starts).

Youth, Sweet Youth

The value of the Reds’ youngsters was illustrated on the final day of the month, when they became the  first MLB team (according to STATS ) to have one rookie hit a game-tying homer and another rookie hit a walk-off homer in extra innings in the same game.  (More of #InBaseballWeCountEverything.) As the Reds  topped the Padres 7-5,  Matt McLain it a game-tying two-run homer n the bottom of the tenth and Spencer Steer hit a game-winning two-run shot in the eleventh.  

Moving on to the AL, the big surprise might have been the Yankees scoring  the second fewest runs of any team during the month (88) and putting up the lowest batting average in the AL at .208.

Ten Yankees played 15 or more games in June – and seven of them hit under .200.

Meanwhile,  the Rays continued to look  solid with a  with a 16-10 record, best in the AL for June.  They did it with a nice balance of  the AL’s best ERA and second-most runs scored.

The Guardians made a bit of a move in the dismal NL Central (as of June 30, no team in the Central Division was over .500 on the season). The Guardians went 14-12 in June – on the strength of  of the AL’s fourth-best June ERA and fifth-most  runs scored. They did it with base-to-base baseball, notching only 21 home runs, third-fewest in the AL.  Key contributors were 3B Jose Ramirez (.330-7-23 in June) and  1B Josh Naylor (.370-2-18). The bullpen was critical as Cleveland starters  won only six of the team’s  14 games in June.  In June, no Cleveland pitcher won more than three games – and the 14 wins were divided among ten pitchers.

——-Team  Statistical Leaders for June  2023 ———-

RUNS SCORED

National League – Braves (175); Reds (153); Diamondbacks (144)

American League – Rangers (140); Rays (130); Angels (137)

The fewest runs in June were scored by the Royals – 83. The Cardinals tallied the fewest runs in the NL at 92. Others under 100 were the: Yankees (88); A’s (93); Nationals (95); Twins (95); White Sox (97). 

AVERAGE

National League – Braves (.307); Marlins (.267); Diamondbacks (.265)

American League – Guardians (.279); Rangers (.274); Rays (.260)

The lowest team average for June belonged to the Yankees (.208). The lowest in the NL was the Brewers (.219).

HOME RUNS

National League – Braves (61); Reds (42); Mets (36)

American League –  Angels (47); Rangers (42); Astros (38)

The Royals hit the fewest home runs in June, 17. The  Nationals were at the bottom of the NL at 21.

The Braves led MLB in slugging percentage for June at .572.  The Angels led the AL at .477. 

STOLEN BASES

National League – Reds (50); Phillies (29); Diamondbacks (28)

American League – Astros (31); A’s (30); Royals (28)

The Tigers stole the fewest sacks in June  – just six in eleven  attempts.   The Giants were at the bottom of the NL, with eight in ten attempts. 

WALKS DRAWN

National League –   Padres (106); Giants (103); Diamondbacks (102)

American League  Angels (105); Rangers (105); Astros (94)

The Braves led MLB in on-base percentage for June at .372. The Rangers led the AL  at .347.  The Yankees had MLB’s lowest OBP for June  at .273.  

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Rockies (273); Brewers (267);  Giants (245)

American League – Twins (275); Tigers (247); White Sox (243)

Nationals’ and Braves’ batters fanned the fewest times in June  (176).

 

Bonus Stats

• Braves’ batters racked up the most total bases in June at 503.  The Yankees were at the bottom of MLB at 283.
• The Padres led in sacrifice bunts for June with six. Seven teams recorded zero sacrifice bunts.

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Earned Run Average

National League – Phillies (3.05); Cubs (3.34); Marlins (3.43)

American League –  Rays (3.38); Yankees (3.48); White Sox (3.54)

The Rockies had the highest June ERA at 6.84.  Others over 5.00 were the: Royals (5.73); Cardinals (5.27); and Reds (5.03).

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Marlins (266); Phillies  (254); Braves (248)

American League –  White Sox (269); Blue Jays (263); Rays (256)

The White Sox  averaged  an MLB-best 10.47 strikeouts per nine innings in June. The Marlins averaged an NL-best 9.92.  Twelve teams averaged nine whiffs per nine or better.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED

National League  – Marlins (54); Phillies (65); Giants (66)

American League – Blue Jays (56); Yankees (60); Twins (65)

The Marlins  walked an MLB-lowest 2.01 batters per nine innings in June.  The Rockies walked an MLB-worst 4.24 batters per nine frames.

SAVES

National League – Braves (13); Giants (13); Reds (12)

American League – Blue Jays (13); Angels (9); Yankees (9); A’s (9)

Bonus Stats:

• The Rockies gave up an MLB-high 46 home runs in June– The  Giants gave up an MLB-low 19.
• The Rays held opponents to an MLB-low .213 average in June; the Rockies’ staff was touched for an MLB-high .304 during the month.

 —–JUNE HIGHLIGHTS—–

Bringing the Heat

On June 2, as the Twins faced the Guardians in Minnesota, Twins’ closer Jhoan Duran picked up his eighth save. He went 1 1/3 innings, giving up one hit and one walk, while fanning three. Notably, after using 14 pitches to get out of an inherited jam in the eighth, he came back  to pitch a scoreless ninth.  (During the eighth, he came on with a runner on second, one out and the Twins up 1-0 and proceeded to sandwich a pair of strikeouts around an intentional walk.)

In his outing,  the 25-year-old flamethrower launched two pitches at 104+ MPH, one of them matching his own mark for the fastest pitch of the 2023 season – 104.6 mph. At the time, Duran was the only pitcher to reach 104 mph this season – and it was his fifth pitch at that velocity. (Since the, Jordan Hicks has reached the 104 mph mark once. Through June 30, Duran was 2-2, 1.45, with 11 saves and 423 strikeouts in 31 innings.

Give Me Five, Luis

On June 3, Marlins’ leadoff hitter and second baseman Luis Arreaz (acquired in an off-season trade with the Twins), became the first Marlin  to record five hits and five RBI in the same game – as the Marlins topped the A’s 12-1 in  Miami. Arreaz singled to lead off the bottom of the first; rapped an RBI single in the second; hit a three-run double in the third; had an RBI (ground rule) double in the fifth; and hit  a one-out double in the seventh.  It wasn’t Arreaz’ first foray into the Marlins’ record books. On April 11, he became the first Marlin ever to hit for the cycle (single, double, triple, homer in the same game).

As June  closed,  Arreaz, the 2022 AL batting champ, was leading the NL with a .390 average.

The Marlins’ Arreaz produced three five-hit games in the month of June (June 3, June 16, June 19) – making him just the fourth major leaguer to deliver three five-hit games in a month, joining: George Sisler, Browns, August 1921; Ty Cobb, Tigers, July 1922; Dave Winfield, Yankees, June 1984).

Celebrate a Win – With a Burger

On June 4, White Sox’ DH and number-two batter Jake Burger came up in the bottom on the ninth with the bases loaded, one out and his White Sox  tied 2-2 with the Tigers. Burger took a 1-0 pitch from Tigers’ closer Alex Lange to deep left center for a walk-off Grand Slam. It was Burger’s first MLB walk-off homer and first MLB Grand Slam.

Comeback Player of the Year? Seems Like It.

White Sox’ righty Liam Hendriks picked up the win in Chicago’s June  4 game against the Tigers – after pitching  a 1-2-3 top of the ninth (two strikeouts) to preserve a 2-2 tie.  The White Sox scored in the bottom of the inning to give him the victory. It was Hendriks’ first  decision since coming back from treatment for Stage Four non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma – and it came on National Cancer Survivors Day.

McClanahan a True Rays’ Ace

One June 5, Rays’ southpaw Shane McClanahan threw six one-run innings (five hits, two walks, five whiffs) as the Rays topped the Red Sox 4-1 in Boston.  In the process, McLanahan became NL’s first nine-game winner in 2023 – running his record to 9-1, 2.02.

McClanahan, who came into the 2023 season with a 22-4, 2.92 record, closed June with an 11-1, 2.53 record on the season.

1-2-3 … That’s How Easy It’s Gonna Be

On June 8, as the Guardians topped the Red Sox 10-3 in Cleveland, Guardians’ 3B and cleanup hitter, Jose Ramirez truly “cleaned up.”  Ramirez homered in his first three at bats, notching his first-ever three-homer game and (with the second homer) his 200^th MLB long ball.  And, there was more, Ramirez broke a 13-game homer-less streak and a zero-for-sixteen slump. Ramirez ended the game three-for-five with three runs scored and five RBI. He ended June at .295-13-52 on the season. Ramirez, in his eleventh MLB season, is a four-time All Star and has topped twenty home runs in five seasons (topping 30 twice); recorded 100+ RBI in three seasons; and has 20 or more  stolen bases in five campaigns.

100 Wins … Good for Yu 

On June 9, Yu Darvish won his fifth game of the season for the Padres (5-4, 4.30), as San Diego topped the Rockies 9-6 in Colorado. Darvish went  5 1/3 innings – four runs on five hits and four walks, with six whiffs.  It was also Darvish’s  100^th MLB win.  Darvish – 16-8, 3.10 for the Padres a year ago –  finished June with a 5-6, 4.84 record on the season.

How About Those Early Returns?

Dodgers’ 24-year-old righty, rookie Bobby Miller, got his MLB career off to a pretty darn good start. Making his major league debut on May 23, Miller picked up three wins (no losses) and a 0.78 over his first four starts (May 23, May 29, June 4, June 10).  Things got a bit tougher in his next three starts, as Miller gave up 16 earned runs in 15 1/3 innings.  He finished June with a 4-1, 4.23 record on the season.

2,000 … That’s a Nice, Big, Round Number

On June 11, five -time All Star Andrew McCutchen, in his fifteenth MLB season, led off at DH for the Pirates (in Pittsburgh). McCutchen rapped a first-inning single off Carlos Carrasco for his 2,000^th MLB safety. He went one-for-three (with a walk) in the game, won by the Pirates (over the Mets) 2-1.

As June closed, McCutchen’s was .287-10-28 on the season and  .277-297-1,030 for his career.

A (Bi)cycle Built for Two

We saw two cycles (single, double, triple, home run in the same game) in June.  First, on June 12, Phillies’ C J.T. Realmuto went four-for-four with a walk – as the Phillies lost to the Diamondbacks 9-8 in Arizona. Realmuto led off the second inning with a solo home run; hit a two-run triple in the third; singled in the fifth; walked in the seventh; and doubled to lead off the ninth. In another example of how #InBaseballWeCountEverything, Todd Zolecki at MLB.com reported that there have been 22 times in MLB history that a player has hit for a cycle, added a walk, had three RBI and three runs scored -and this was the first time that player’s team lost the game.

On June 23, the streaking Reds won their 12^th straight game – squeaking by the Braves 11-10 in Cincinnati. In the contest, 39-year-old veteran Joey Votto hit a game-tying solo home run to lead off the fourth and a go-ahead three-run bomb in the fifth.  The 39-year-old veteran, however, was upstaged by 21-year-old rookie 3B Elly De La Cruz, who collected the Reds’ first cycle (single, double, triple, homer in one game) in 34 years.  De La Cruz, batting cleanup, doubled to lead off the second inning; hit a two-run homer in the third; had an RBI single in the fifth; and stroked a run-scoring triple in the sixth.  The cycle came in De La Cruz’ fifteenth MLB game. Only two players have recorded a cycle earlier in their MLB career (per the Elias Sports Bureau):  Cliff Heathcote of the 1918 Cardinals (sixth MLB game) and Gary Ward of the 1980 Twins (fourteenth ML:B game.)

FASTEST Cycle Ever

On June 18, 2000, Rockies’ second baseman Mike Lansing completed the fastest cycle ever in an MLB game.  As the Rockies topped the Diamondbacks in Colorado by a 19-2 score, Lansing, batting second, completed his cycle in just four frames:

• A run-scoring triple in the first inning;
• A two-run home run in the second;
• A two-run double in the third;
• A single in the fourth.

Lansing played nine years in the major leagues, hitting .271-84-440 in 1,110 games.

A Winning MLB Debut

On June 17, I was lucky enough to be in Kansas City (on a Ballpark Tours trip), as the Angels took on the Royals – and 24-year-old Samad Taylor made his MLB debut for the Royals, batting eighth and playing LF. Taylor, by the way, was hitting .304-6-37, with 34 steals in 62 games at Triple-A when called up.

In a game that saw the Angels jump out to a 9-2 lead by the top of the seventh, Taylor had grounded out in bottom of the second, flied out to right in the fifth, walked and scored in the seventh and walked and scored in the eighth. Ultimately, in his MLB debut, Taylor found himself  at the plate in the bottom of the ninth, with a runner on third,  one out and the scored knotted at nine apiece.  Taylor delivered his first major-league hit – and it was a walk-off (game-winning) single.

Rebuilding

The Royals’ starting offensive lineup on June 17  included six players in either their first or second MLB season.

A Tying and Winning MLB Debut

Twenty-nine-year-old Zach Remillard was in his seventh minor-league season when he finally got the call to the “Show” (with the White Sox). He made his major-league debut in a game against the Mariners (in Seattle) on June 17 – coming on in the fourth inning to replace starting shortstop Tim Anderson, who reported right shoulder soreness.  (Anderson went to the bench, starting second baseman Elvis Andrus went to SS and Remillard came in at 2B, batting in the number-two spot.)

It was one heck of a day for the rookie.

• In his first plate appearance (top of the fifth), he walked on five pitches.
• In the seventh, he beat out a bunt single.
• In the ninth, he rapped an RBI single that tied the game at 3-3.
• In the eleventh, he added another RBI single that proved the game winner (it gave the White Sox at 4-3 lead).

So, in his debut, Remillard reached base in all four plate appearances, went three-for-three and (according to MLB.com) became the first player since 1901 to drive in the tying and winning runs in his MLB debut.

So Darn Stingy.

In the month of June, Mariners’ righty Ge0rge Kirby walked only one batter in four starts (24 innings), while fanning 21. On the season, he’s walked just seven in 15 starts (94 innings,) while fanning 79 and going 6-7, 3.26. In two MLB seasons, the 25-year-old Kirby has walked just 29 and fanned 212 in 224 innings. 

A Bittersweet Record

On June 18, 12-season (2011-2015, 2017-23) MLB veteran Lance Lynn tied a White Sox franchise record and reached a career high by fanning 16 batters in a game. The outing came in Seattle and was bittersweet, since Lynn gave up three earned runs (in seven innings) and took the loss, as the Mariners topped the White Sox 5-1.  In the game, Lynn threw 114 pitches (71 strikes) and gave up just four hits and two walks.

On the season, through June, Lynn is 5-8, 6.47. Lynn is a two-time All Star (2012 and 2021), and has won 15 or more games in four seasons.  His career mark is 128-92, 3.68.

Lighting It Up

On June 20, the Cardinals’ Jordan Hicks – moved into the closer role the previous week – became just the second MLB pitcher to throw a pitch in excess of 104 mph this season, blazing a 104.3 mph sinker.  This heat came despite it being Hicks’ third consecutive day on the mound.  Hicks faced four batters in picking up the save in the 8-6 Cardinals’ win – and six of his pitches were 102 mph or better.  The 104.3 mph sinker was the fifth-fastest pitch in MLB this season. (The Twins’ Jhoan Duran holds the top four spots. Hicks had earned one-inning saves on both June 17 and  June 18.

A Long Ball in the Minors

On June 20, the Triple-A Salt Lake Bees’ outfielder Jo Adell mashed a 514-foot homer to left center field at Salt Lake City’s Smith Ballpark. It was his minor-league leading 20^th homer of the season.

Buxton Goes Deep

On June 22, in a 6-0 win over the Red Sox (in Minnesota), Twins’ DH Byron Buxton bashed a 466-foot home run in the first  inning and added a 465-foot shot in the third.  In more of #InBaseballWeCountEverything, Statcast reported that he is the first player in the Statcast era to hit multiple homers  of 460-feet or more in a single game and one of just five to hit multiple Statcast-measured 450-foot homers in a game (joining Austin Riley, Willson Contreras, Charlie Blackmon and Trevor Story).

The two long balls were Buxton’s 12^th and 13^th of the season.

 

I’m A Travelin’ Man … Been All Over the World

On June 24, MLB went international again – as the Cubs and Cardinals played a two-game series in London. In more of #InBaseballWeCountEverything, the Elias Sports Bureau reported that his start at first base made the Cardinals’ Paul Goldschmidt the first MLB player to play a regular-season game in five different countries (USA, Australia, Canada, Mexico and England).

For those who like to know such things, the two teams split the two games. Game 1: Cubs win 9-1. Game Two:  Cardinals win 7-5. The two games drew a total of 110,167 fans. (or at least curious onlookers.)

23-Zip … In the Fourth

On June 24, the Angels faced the Rockies in Colorado – and I expect more than a few fans left early.  After just four innings, the Angels had  collected 12 singles, five home runs, two doubles, four walks and one hit batsman – and led 23-0. The final was 25-1. In the game, four Angels had four or more RBI:  SS David Fletcher with five runs driven in and 2B Brandon Drury, 1B Hunter Renfroe and RF Mickey Moniak with four each.

Martinez Rolls a 300

On June 27, as the Dodgers topped the Rockies 5-0  in Colorado, Dodgers’ DH J.D. Martinez rapped his 17^th and 18^th homers of the 2023 season – a two-run shot in the third and a solo homer in the sixth. They were the  299^th and 300^th career round trippers for Martinez, now in his 13^th MLB season. A five-time All Star, Martinez has eight seasons of 20 or more homers, a high of 45 in 2017. Ironically, in that 45-homer campaign, he was traded – from the Tigers to the Diamondbacks. That season, Ramirez went .305-16-39 in 57 games for the Tigers and .302-29-65 in 62 games for the Diamondbacks.  After helping the Diamondbacks reach the 2017 post-season, Martinez signed with the Boston Red Sox (as a free agent), where he he hit .330-43-130 in 2018 – and again found himself in the post-season.

Obligatory Ohtani Note

It wouldn’t be a monthly wrap up, without the obligatory Shohei Ohtani accomplishment.  On June 27, as the Angels topped the White (in LA), Ohtani started on the mound and picked up the win – going 6 1/3 one-run innings and fanning ten batters.  At the plate, Ohtani went three-for-three, with two home runs.  This outing made him just the sixth major leaguer to strikeout ten batters and hit two homers in a game since 1900. For the stories on all six, click here.

Shohei Ohtani’s three-hit game on June 27 was his fourth three-hit game as a starting pitcher this season.  It’s the most by any pitcher since Warren Spahn had five three-hit games with the Braves in 1958.

El Perfecto

On June 28, Yankees right-hander Domingo German threw just the 24^th perfect game in MLB history – as his Yankees topped the A’s 11-0 in Oakland.

• German needed just 99 pitches (72 strikes) to record his 27 outs and he fanned nine along the way.
• The Yankees won 11-0 and those 11 runs are the most ever scored by the winning team in a Perfect Game.

For more on German’s perfecto -and MLB’s 23 other Perfect Games, click here.

 

Shutouts Keep Coming

In addition to Domingo German’s  Perfect Game (see above),  the Twins’ Joe Ryan threw a complete-game shutout on June 22 – as the Twins topped the Red Sox 6-0.  Through June, there have been 11 single-pitcher shutouts in MLB. Through June of 2022, there had been just six single-pitcher shutouts.

Never Give Up!

Two of 2023’s surprise team are the Reds and Orioles, who would both be in the post-season if the season ended today.  Their June 28 matchup may provide a clue as to why.  When the two squads faced off in Baltimore on that day, they each could look back on an MLB-best 28 come-from-behind victories this season.  Well, true to form, the Reds jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the top of the first.  The Orioles came back in the bottom of the inning to take a 4-3 lead. In the top of thee second, the Reds came back to take a 6-3 lead. That grew to 7-3 by the top of the eighth. Then, the Orioles came back to tie it 7-7 in the bottom of the eighth and the Reds came back with four in the top of the tenth for the win – their 29th come-from-behind victory of 2023.

30-for-30

On June 30, the Reds scored three runs in the bottom of the eleventh inning to beat the Padres 7-5 – for their MLB-best 30th come-from-behind win.  

He Ain’t Heavy, He’s My Brother

On June 30, as the Angels faced the Diamondbacks (in Anaheim), David Fletcher started for the Angels at SS and his brother Dominic Fletcher started in LF for the Diamondbacks. Notably, it wasn’t the first time this season, they opposed each other on the professional baseball field.  The two had faced each other at Triple-A this year, with David playing for the Sale Lake Bees and Dominic for the Reno Aces. The Diamondback prevailed 6-2. David Fletcher went zero-for-two for the Angels ; Domincc Fletcher went one-for-four for the Diamondbacks.

–——Individual Statistical Leaders for June 2023———

AVERAGE (minimum 60 June at bats)

National League – Luis Arreaz, Marlins (.406); Michael Harris II, Braves (.372); David Peralta, Dodgers (.365)

American League –  Shohei Ohtani, Angels (.394); Josh Naylor, Guardians (.370); Corey Seager, Rangers (.368);

The lowest June average (among players with at least 60 at bats in the month)  belonged to the Diamondbacks’ Pavin Smith  at .130 (9-for-69)

HOME RUNS

National League – Matt Olson, Braves (11); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (9); Mookie Betts, Dodgers (9);  Eddie Rosario, Braves (9)

American League – Shohei Ohtani, Angels (15); Luis Robert, Jr., White Sox (11); four with seven

The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani had the highest June slugging percentage (at least 60 at bats) at .925.  The NL leader was the Braves’ Eddie Rosario at .711.

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – Matt Olson, Braves (25); five with 22

American League –  Shohei Ohtani, Angels (29); Corey Seager, Rangers (25); Alex Bregman, Astros (24)

HITS

National League – Luis Arreaz, Marlins (43); Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (37); three with 35

American League –  Shohei Ohtani, Angels (41); Corey Seager, Rangers (39); Josh Naylor, Guardians (37)

The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani led MLB (at least 60 June at bats) players in on-base percentage at .492. The NL  leader was the Pirates’ Andrew McCutchen at .462..

DOUBLES

National League –   Christian Walker, Diamondbacks (15); Fernando Tatis. Jr., Padres (12); Jeimer Candelario, Nationals (11)

American League – Corey Seager, Rangers (14); Alex Verdugo, Red Sox (10); Josh Naylor, Guardians (10)

TRIPLES

National League – Matt McLain, Reds (4); twelve with 2

American League –  Javier Baez, Tigers (3); Andres Gimenez, Royals (3); Alex Verdugo, Red Sox (3); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (3)

The Angels’ Shohei Ohtani led all hitters with 25 extra-base hits in June. The NL leader was Christian Walker of the Diamondbacks with 19. 

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Ronald Acuna, Jr., Braves (14); Trea Turner, Phillies (11); three with nine

American League – Esteury Ruiz, A’s (13); Maikel Garcia, Royals (9); Jarren Duran, Red Sox (8); Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (8)

The Phillies’ Trea Turner had the most June  teals without getting caught (11).

WALKS

National League – Juan Soto, Padres (23); Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks (20);Andrew McCutchen, Pirates (20)

American League –  Nathaniel Lowe, Rangers (21); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (21); Isaac Paredes, Rays (20)

The Rays’ Isaac Paredes led in walks/strikeouts ratio (among batters with at least 75 June plate appearances) at 1.3 … 20 walks versus 15 whiffs in 24 games.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (37); Brandon Nimmo, Mets (35); three with 33

American League – Nick Pratto, Royals (42); Jake Burger, White Sox (38); Ryan Noda, A’s (38)

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League – Taijuan Walker, Phillies (5-1); Andrew Abbott, Reds (4-0); Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers (4-0); Joe Musgrove, Padres (4-0); Spencer Strider, Braves (4-0); Marcus Stroman, Cubs (4-1)

American League – Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays (4-1); thirteen with three

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 25 June innings pitched)

National League –  Eury Perez, Marlins (0.32); Blake Snell, Padres (0.87); Ranger Suarez, Phillies (1.08)

American League – Reid Detmers, Angels (2.05); Brayan Bello, Red Sox (2.14); Dylan Cease, White Sox (2.20)

Among pitchers with at least four June starts or 20  innings pitched, the Rockies’ Chase Anderson had the highest June ERA at 10.80 (30 earned runs in 25 innings in six starts).

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Blake Snell, Padres (53 K / 31 IP); Max Scherzer, Mets (46 K / 36 IP); Jesus Luzardo, Marlins (42 K / 35 2/3 IP)

American League – Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays (50 K / 36 1/3 IP); Pablo Lopez, Twins (45 K / 36 1/3 IP): Dylan Cease,  White Sox (42 K / 28 2/3 IP)

Among qualifying players, the Padres’ Blake Snell had the highest strikeout per nine innings ratio for June  at 15.39. The  White Sox’  Dylan Cease led the AL at 13.19.

SAVES

National League – Camilo Doval, Giants (10); Alexis Diaz, Reds (9);  Raisel Iglesias, Braves (8)

American League – Jordan Romero, Blue Jays (12); Felix Bautista, Orioles (7); Emmanuel Clase, Guardians (7); Carlos Estevez, Angels (7)

WHIP (Walks +  Hits per Inning Pitched – minimum 25 June innings)

National League – Blake Snell, Padres (0.68); Kyle Hendricks, Cubs (0.71);  Jesus Luzard0, Marlins (0.76)

American League – James Paxton, Rd Sox (0.77); Brayan Bello, Red Sox (0.86); Yusei Kikuchi, Blue Jays (0.87)

BONUS STATS

• The Rockies’ Chase Anderson and Orioles’ Dean Kremer each gave up an MLB-high ten home runs in June.
• Among player with at least 25 June innings pitched , the Padres’ Blake Snell held hitters to the lowest average (.124) – 13 hits in 31 innings.
• The Twins’ Joe Ryan, Rangers’ Jon Gray and Yankees Domingo German  pitched the only June complete games.

________________________________

If the season ended today, the post-season would include:

American League: Rays; Rangers; Twins;  Wild Cards: Orioles, Yankees, Astros

National League: Braves, Diamondbacks, Reds.  Wild cards: Marlins, Dodgers, Giants.

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

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Yesterday (June 27, 2023), the Angels’ Shohei Ohtani started on the mound and, as usual, was in the lineup at Designated Hitter. Ohtani picked up the win – running his record to 7-3, 3.02 – going  6 1/3 innings and striking out ten batters.  At the plate he went three-for-three, with a walk and a pair of solo homers (his 27^th and 28th of the season).  In the process, he became just the sixth MLB pitcher to record ten or more strikeouts and hit two home runs in a game.  Here’s the list.

Milt Pappas, Orioles … August 27, 1961

Pappas pitched two-hit shutout, fanning 11, as the Orioles beat the Twins 3-0 in Minnesota.  At the plate, Pappas went two-for-four with two  solo home runs.

Right-hander Pappas had a 17-season MLB career (1957-73 … Orioles, Reds, Braves, Cubs). He was a two-time All Star and won fifteen or more games in seven seasons. His final stat line was 209-164, 3.40. His best season was 1972, when he went 17-7, 2.77 for the Cubs. At the plate, Pappas went .123-20-67 in 1,073 at bats.

Pedro Ramos, Indians … July 31, 1963

As the Indians topped the Angels  Sox 9-5 in Cleveland, Ramos went 8 1/3 innings giving up 11 hits and five runs, while fanning 15.  At the plate , he was two-for-four, with two solo round trippers.

Right-hander Ramos pitched in 15 MLB seasons (1955-67, 1969-70 … Senators/Twins, Indians, Yankees, Phillies, Reds, new Senators). From 1958-61, he led the American League in losses every year – going a combined 49-75, 3.94 over the four seasons.  He also lead the league in starts in two of those campaigns. His final stat line was 117-160, 4.08. A switch-hitter, Ramos hit .155-15-56 in 703 at bats.

Rick Wise, Philllies … August 28, 1971

With his Phillies topping the Giants 7-3 in Philadelphia, Wise went the full nine innings, giving up eight hits and three runs and fanning 11.  At the plate, he was two-for-three with a solo homer and Grand Slam.

Wise pitched in 18 MLB seasons (1964, 1966-82 … Phillies, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians, Padres). The two-time All Star won 15 or more games in six seasons, with a high of 19 with the 1975 Red Sox (19-12, 3.95).  At the plate, he went .195-15-66 in 668 at bats.  From 1967 through 1970, he hit .200 or better in four seasons, going .231-5-22.  In 1971, he hit .237, with six homers and 15 RBI in 39 games.

Two Blasts and a NO-NO

While he didn’t notch ten strikeouts, Rick Wise gets a special shout out for being the only MLB pitcher to hit two home runs in a game in which he also tossed a no-hitter. On June 23, 1971, Wise no-hit the Reds (in Cincinnati) as his Phillies won 4-0. Wise walked one and fanned three in his no-hitter and also drove in three runs with a pair of long balls. 

Madison Bumgarner, Giants … April 2, 2017

On Opening Day in 2017, Madison Bumgarner and the Giants beat the Diamondbacks 6-5 in Arizona.  Bumgarner got the win, pitching seven innings and giving up six hits and three runs, while fanning 11.  At the plate he went two-for -two, with two solo homers and a walk.  (Side note:  Zack Greinke started for the Diamondbacks, two years to the day before he would also notch a two-homer, ten-strikeout game.)

Bumgarner, still active in 2023 (currently a free agent), is in his 15th MLB season (2009-23 … Giants, Diamondbacks). The four-time All Star has won 15 or more games in four seasons and owns a career mark of 134-124, 3.47. His best season to date is 2015, when he went 18-9, 2,93 for the Giants.  As a hitter, Bumgarner has a .232-19-65 stat line in 633 at bats. In 2014, he hit .258-4-15 in 31 games.

Zack Greinke,  Diamondbacks … April 2, 2019

Exactly two years after  Madison Bumgarner pulled off the two-homer, ten-whiff combo against Greinke and the Diamondbacks, Greinke notched a similar game for himself.  As his Diamondbacks topped he Padres 8-5 in San Diego, Greinke got the win with six innings of three-run ball (three runs, ten whiffs). At the plate, he went two-for-four. With a solo homer and three-run shot.

Greinke has pitched in 20 MLB seasons (2004-2023 … Royals, Brewers, Dodgers, Diamondbacks, Astros). He has won 15 or more games in nine seasons. The five-time All Star’s and 2009 AL Cy Young Award winner’s  best season was 2015 ( 19-3 for the Dodgers, with a league-low 1.66 earned run average).  At the plate, Grienke has hit .225-9-34 in 521 at bats. In 2013, he hit .328 (15-for-58) for the Dodgers.  Greinke also has six Gold Gloves on his MLB resume.

Shohei Ohtani, Angels … June 27, 2023

As the Angels bested the White Sox 4-2 (in LA), Ohtani got the  win with 6 1/3 innings of four-hit, one-run ball – while fanning ten.  At the plate, he went three-for-three with two solo homers. (Note: Probably more two-homer/ten-whiff games in his future.)

Ohtani, a two-way star in Japan, signed with the Angels in December of  2017.  Since joining the Angels, he has gone 35-17, 2.97 on the mound with 568 strikeouts in 445 innings pitched. At the plate, he has gone .272-155-406 in 645 games.  Ohtani was the AL Rookie of the Year in 2018 and the league MVP in 2021. In his MVP season, Ohtani hit .257-46-100, stole 26 bases and led the AL with eight triples – also going 9-2, 3.18 on the mound (23 starts).

Primary resource:  Baseball-Reference.com

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On this date (June 27), twenty years ago, the Boston Red Sox set the MLB record for the most runs scored by a team in a game before making their first out.  The game was played in Fenway Park and the opponents were the Florida Marlins – who lost to the Red Sox 25-8 and gave up ten runs before retiring a single BoSox batter.

The inning went like this:

Carl Pavano, who came into the game with a 6-8, 4.21 record on the season, started for the Marlins.  To give you some idea of now potent this Red Sox lineup was, I put each player’s batting average entering the game in parenthesis after his name.

• CF Johnny Damon (.255) – Doubles to right on a 2-2 pitch.
• 2B Todd Walker (.302) – Singles to center (1-0 pitch), scoring Damon.
• SS Nomar Garciaparra (.343) – Doubles to center (0-1 pitch), Walker goes to third.
• LF Manny Ramirez (.314) – Hits a three-run homer to left (first pitch).
• DH David Ortiz (.287) – Doubles to right (2-1 pitch).
• 1B Kevin Millar (.316) – Singles to center on a 1-1 pitch, scoring Ortiz.

Miguel Tejera replaces Pavano on the mound. (Pavano has surrendered five runs on six hits, in just 22 pitches – and is responsible for Millar on first.) Tejera will see the Red Sox standing tough in the batter’s box. He will face just five batters, with three of those requiring at least eight pitches.

• RF Trot Nixon (.305) – Greets Tejera with a first-pitch single to right, with Millar moving to second.
• 3B Bill Mueller (.315) – Works Tejera for a nine-pitch walk, loading the bases.
• C Jason Varitek (.279) – The number-nine hitter lines a single to center (2-2 pitch), scoring Millar and Nixon and sending Mueller to second.
• Damon – Up for the second time in the inning, hits a 2-2 pitch, the ninth pitch of the at bat, for a triple to deep right, scoring Mueller and Varitek.
• Walker – Gets his second single of the inning, a groundball single to left scoring Damon. It comes on the ninth pitch of the at bat, a 3-2 count).

Allen Levrault replaces Tejera, who has given up four hits and a walk on 32 pitches. Levrault slows the carnage. Getting Garciaparra on a foul pop up.  Ten runs have scored before this first out.

The Red Sox go on to score four more runs to take a 14-1 first-inning lead.

A few other tidbits:

• Damon, who got three-fourths of the way to the cycle in the first inning (double, triple, single) will  collect two more hits  in his final four plate appearances.  They will both be singles and he will not  get the coveted cycle.
• Six members of the Red Sox will collect at least three hits in the game.
• Despite giving up five runs in five innings, Red Sox’ starter Byung-Hyun Kim will get the win.
• The Red Sox will be eliminated by the Yankees in the American League Championship Series.  The Mariners will make it to the World Series, where they also will fall to the Yankees.

Primary Resource:  Baseball-Reference.com

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Baseball Roundtable, reporting again from Bleacher Bums XL … The Tulsa Culture Tour, which began on June 16.  The  trip has  taken our busload of 32 baseball fans and friends to six ball games (major- and minor-leagues), in five cities, in four states in eight days.   Along the way, we’re taken in five cultural/historical sights; visited  a few breweries; partaken of seven free breakfasts, a dynamite free social  hour, three in-the-ballpark Happy Hours and a “Thirsty Thursday”; picked up a free bobblehead; seen fireworks above a ballpark and Venus in the night sky;  and enjoyed the camaraderie of fellow baseball fans and friends.  This post (Episode Five From the road) looks at Day Seven of our trip.  For Episode One of our journey, click here.  For Episode Two, click here. For Episode Three, click here.  For Episode  Four, click here.

Going forward, Baseball Roundtable will return to its normal slate of blogging topics.

Day 7 – June 22

We were off at 9:30 a.m. … headed for Kansas City, Kansas (after another free breakfast, of course), sadly contemplating  the last ball game on our journey.

Our first stop was The Blind Tiger Brewery and Restaurant in Topeka, where we feasted on the likes of craft beer, home-brewed root beer, pulled pork and prime rib sandwiches, soup, salads and what appeared to be the largest (and tastiest, stuffed fried mushrooms ever (see photo).

 

Then it was off to Kansas City, Kansas where our hotel (Country Inn and Suites) was just across the parking lot from Legends Field – Home of the Kansas City Monarchs.

Great seats once again, down the first base line.  Of special interest to our group were two key facts:

• $3 sixteen-ounce domestic beers, as part of “Thirsty Thursday”;
• Adult beverages were served (at the reduced price) until the top of the ninth.

Our game featured the independent American Association Kansas City Monarchs and Sioux City Explorers. The two teams had six former major leaguers on their rosters:

• Keon Broxton (OF, Monarchs) …Pirates, Brewers, Mets, Orioles, Mariners (2015-19, 376 games).
• Brandon Finnegan (P, Monarchs) … Royals/Reds (2014—18, 57 games).
• Odubel Herrera (OF, Monarchs) … Phillies (2015-19, 2021-22; an All Star with the 2016 Philllies).
• Chris Herrmann (C, Monarchs) … Twins, Diamondbacks, Mariners, A’s (1012-19, 370 games).
• Luis Madero (P, Sioux City) … Marlins (2012, six games).
• Patrick Weigel (P, Monarchs) … Atlanta Braves, 2020-21, four games).

Legends Field was a typical singled-deck minor-league park.  The concourse was spacious and there were plenty of concession stands. The Barbeque Project was among the most popular. The team (formerly the Kansas City T-Bones  – which in 2012 announced a marketing partnership  with the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum – had plenty of Kansas City Monarchs branded items available in the team store.  In addition, the team pays homage to the Negro Leagues with framed tributes to Negro League stars throughout the park.  Notably, the Satchel Paige Tribute was blocked by a vacant Lemonade Cart.  One of our group (Eileen, she of the on-the-bus Bloody Mary Bar) corrected that slight by moving the cart.  We did notice that it had later been moved back, but the gesture was appreciated.

The Monarchs lost the game 8-1 with the big hits being a two-run triple by SS Miguel Sierra and a two-run home run by DH Daniel Perez (both in the top of the sixth. Those runs brought the score to 5-0. The Monarchs countered with a solo home run by DH Justin Wylie in the bottom of the innings, which would be their only score of the night.  Sioux City iced the game with three unearned runs in the shakily played eighth.

The Star of the game was Topeka starting pitcher Trenton Toplikar, who went eight innings, giving up seven hits and just one run, while walking one and fanning 5.  Toplikar is now 1-0, 1.68 in three starts for Sioux City. The 27-year-old righty pitched four seasons in the San Francisco Giant system – 2018-22, climbing as high as Triple-A Sacramento.

A popular post-game spot was “Jazz – A Louisiana Kitchen … where members of the group enjoyed Cajun cooking  and Louisiana Soul Food, as well as a one-man jazz band  Side note: Pre-game, some tourers hit the nearby (walking distances) Legends Outlet Mall.

 

 

Finally, on the way back to the hotel, we were treated to a bit of a light show, as the plant Venus was visible. It’s a small spot in the photo, but was a bright object in the evening sky.

So, all that’s left now is the bus ride back to Saint Paul.  And, with that, Baseball Roundtable will end these reports from the road and return to  its usual (some would argue “unusual”) baseball topics.

 

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