September In MLB Streaked on By …. Here are the Stats, Stories, Standings and More

Well a new month rolls around, so it’s time for Baseball Roundtable to take a look at the month we are leaving behind – and the stats, stories and standings  that caught the Roundtable’s attention – not to mentions the BBRT Players and Pitchers of the Month and, of course, the Trot Index.

As a teaser, this past month we saw:

• One player (Juan Soto) hit ,400+ for the month.
• A 17-game winning streak (Cardinals).
• The season’s ninth no-hitter and fourth cycle.
• Max Scherzer’s 3000th strikeout and Adam Wainwright’s 2000th.
• A 43-game on-base streak by 20-year-old Wander Franco.
• Shohei Ohtani’s 2021 ninth mound victory; 45th home run; eighth triple; and 26th stolen base.
• New single-season home runs records for a catcher (Salvador Perez) and second baseman (Marcus Semien).
• One team with an ERA under 3.00 for the month (Dodgers); eight with ERA’s north of 5.00.
• Three teams (Cardinals, Dodgers, Giants) playing .700+ ball for the month,

For all this and more, read one.  Here’s a little preview of the kind of tidbits you will find sprinkled among the numbers.

Below the Mendoza Line, But Still Productive

The lowest average through September (among qualifiers) belonged to the Reds’ Eugenio Suarez at .192 (95-for-494).  Notably, it was a productive .192 – as Suarez also had 30 home runs and 77 RBI – in 142 games.

Over in the AL, the lowest average among qualifies belongs to Joey Gallo of the Yankees at .199 (97-for-488). Gallo has 38 long balls and 76 RBI in 149 games.

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

National League Player of the Month – Juan Soto, RF, Nationals 

Juan Soto led all batters (with at least 75 September at bats) with a .404 average. He was second in MLB in hits to the Cubs’ surprising 1B Frank Schwindel (but Schwindel drew only eight September walks to Soto’s MLB-leading 35.)  Soto also racked up 23 September RBI and 22 runs scored (seven home runs) – and fanned just nine times in 27 games.  Soto led all of MLB players with at least 75 September at bats in on-base percentage (.565) and his September slugging percentage of  .691 was fourth among National Leaguers with at least 75 September at bats.  Soto had 11 multi-hit games in September and was on base via hit or walk in all but two games. From September 14 through September 23, he had a nine-game hitting streak in which he hit .567, with four homers, nine RBI, nine runs scored, 12 walks and just one strikeout.

Honorable Mentions: Tyler O’Neill, LF, Cardinals –  who led the NL in September home runs (11) and RBI (27), while hitting .303.; Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Cardinals, who put up a .340-9-19 line, and led MLB in Septembers runs scored with 29.

National League Pitcher of the Month – Eric Lauer, LHP, Brewers

The Brewers’ Eric Lauer came into September with a 4-5, 3.61 record, but gave up no more than one earned run in any of this five September starting assignments. – going 3-0, 1.15 for the month. That ERA was the lowest among MLB pitchers with at least 20 September innings. Lauer’s WHIP of 0.70 was also the best among pitchers with 20 innings pitched for the month, as was his .133 opponents’ batting average. Lauer fanned 32 batters (eight walks) in 31 1/3 innings pitched.

Honorable Mentions: The Dodgers’ Max Scherzer went 3-0, with a 2.29 ERA and an MLB-leading 48 September strikeouts (and only three walks) in 39 1/3 innings in six September starts. The Phillies’ Zack Wheeler was also in the running at 3-1, 1.47 with 39 strikeouts (just six walks) in 30 2/3 September innings; as was the Braves’ Max Fried, 3-0, 1.54, with an MLB-high 41 innings pitched in September (36 whiffs/seven walks).

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AL Player of the Month  – tie: Luis Robert, CF, White Sox & Salvador Perez, C, Royals

Luis Robert‘s .367 average led all American Leaguers with at least 75 at bats. He  hit safely in 20 of 23 September games – with 11 multi-hit games. His 36 September hits were sixth in MLB and fourth in the AL. He had six home runs, 20 RBI and 14 runs scored. His  eight doubles were fifth in the AL and his .633 slugging percentage was  third among AL players with at least 75 September at bats.

Salvador Perez had a .284-10-27 month for the Royals. His 27 RBI were second only to Lourdes Gurriel in MLB and his ten long balls second only to the Blue Jays’ Marcus Semien.  Perez’  ten September home runs gave him 48 on the season, a new record for catchers.  Perez hit safely in 22 of 28 games played in September and had nine multi-hit contests.

Honorable Mentions: Lourdes Gurriel, Jr.  led all of MLB with 30 September RBI, despite a late-September hand injury that cost him a handful of games played.   His line for the month was .329-7-30, with 18 runs scored in 24 games. The Blue Jays’ Teoscar Hernandez hit .301 for the month, with nine home runs and 26 RBI in 28 games. The Royals’ Andrew Benintendi put up a  343-5-27 line.

AL Pitcher of the Month – Frankie Montas, RHP, A’s

Frankie Montas went 3-0, 2.19 in six September starts. His ERA was third among AL pitchers with at least 25 September innings, his 37 innings pitched second, and his 40 strikeouts fifth.  He threw five quality starts in his six games and finished strong – a 0.45 ERA in his final three starts (one win, two no decisions). He came up big in a key game against the division-rival (and first-place) Astros in Houston on September 24 – going seven innings, giving up just two  hits and one walk and  fanning eight – enabling the A’s to take a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the seventh.  (The A’s eventually won 14-2. )

Honorable  Mentions: Cal Quantrill of the Indians was contender at 4-1, 2.73 in five starts (33 innings), with a 1.06 WHIP and a .215 average against. I also looked at the Twins’ Michael Pineda, the only AL pitcher with five September wins (5-0 in five games/four starts). Pineda had a nifty 1.85 ERA for the month, but pitched only 24 1/3 innings.

 

 

Surprise Player of the Month … Giovanny Gallegos, RHP, Cardinals

Thirty-year-0ld Giovanny Gallegos took over the Cardinals’ closing role (replacing a struggling Alex Reyes) in late August (he recorded his third save – in 58 appearances on August 30). In September, Gallegos  recorded 11 saves (in 12 opportunities), fanning 21 batters in 13 2/3 innings, holding batters to a .149 average and putting up a 3.29 ERA. Why the surprise? As of September 1, Gallegos – in five MLB seasons and  162 appearances – had a 10-10 record with just nine saves.  He, however, became the end-of-game, go-to guy, as the Cardinals ran off a 22-7  September record that put them in the post-season. He took the ball and saved a lot of big games for the Redbirds.

Honorable Mention: Cubs’ 1B Frank Schwindel earned this recognition in August with a .357-7-21 month.  (When picked up on waivers from the A’s on July 18, he was four-for-35  as a major leaguer with just one home run and three RBI.)  After his big August, September is less of a surprise, but Schwindel gets a HM for a month in which he led MLB with 40 hits. Clearly, he surprised a lot of people in August – and then surprised even more by keeping up the pace in September.

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TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BBRT FEATURE

Through September  2021, 36.3 percent of the MLB season’s 178,446 plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We’re talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher’s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here’s the breakout: strikeouts (23.2%); walks (8.7%); home runs (3.3%); HBP (1.2%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). 

Taking the Trot Index one step further – to the slow walk back to the dugout 0 so far this season there have been 2,656 more strikeouts than base hits (41,356 to 38,700). 

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If you’ve been following Baseball Roundtable, you’ve read a lot about streaks this year.  This season, the  Yankees have run off a 13-game winning streak, the Rays have had a 11-game victory streak and the Orioles have suffered through  14- and 19-game losing streaks. And, there are more examples of this streaky season. The Padres won all nine contests in a nine-game homestand; the Dodgers, at one point, had lost 11 straight extra-inning game; and the list goes on.

Well, the Cardinals added the cherry on top of the sundae in September.  Their 22-7 month (which propelled them into a post-season berth) included a 17-game winning streak (September 11 through September 28). Surprisingly, at least for BBRT, the streak included just six home games., During the streak, the Cardinals outscored their opponents 115-53, outhit them .293 to .221 and out-homered them 32-17; while their pitching staff put up a 2.90 ERA to the opponents’ 6.53.  If you are looking for the heroes of the September Redbird surge, there were plenty. Here are just a few with their September stats: LF Tyler O’Neill (.303-11-27); 1B Paul Goldschmidt (.340-9-19); CF Harrison Bader (.340-6-18); 3B Nolan Arenado (.260-8-21); Adam Wainwright (4-0, 3.44); Alex Reyes with five wins out of the bullpen; and Giovanny Gallegos with an MLB-high 11 September saves.  You get the idea, it was a true team effort.

There was also a good story in the NL West, where the Giants and Dodgers continue to duke (Snider-pun intended) it out for the division crown.  Both played .700+ ball and were never separated by more than 2 1/2 games during the month. (The Giants appear set to hold on.) The Dodgers had seven players with ten or more RBI during the month, led by Corey Seager’s .366-8-19. But the pitching staff – led by Julio Urias (4-0, 2.20) and Max Scherzer (3-0, 2.29) and a solid bullpen – was the key. The Dodgers put up MLB’s lowest ERA and WHIP for the month., The Giants still outperformed the Dodgers in the won-lost columns, while tying for the NL lead in September runs scored and putting up an ERA second only to the Dodgers.  On offense a pair of Brandons led the way. 1B Brandon Belt hit.349-9-18 for the month and SS Brandon Crawford went .352-5-16. On the mound a trio of relievers (Camilo Doval, Zack Littell and Tyler Rogers) chipped in 10 wins, three saves (no losses) and a combined 2.36 ERA in 43 combined appearances.

The Mariners surprised many with a near .700 month in the AL (.692) and propelled themselves back into what should be a “wild” wild-card race as the season goes into its final weekend. The Mariners scored the AL’s sixth-most runs in September and gave up the eighth fewest – which doesn’t sound like the formula for a near-.700 month. Looking at the scoreboard provides some explanation.  In September the Mariners were 6-2 in one-run games, 3-0 in games decided by two runs and 2-4 in lopsided (five or more runs difference) games.  A few key contributors: RF Mitch Hanniger (.260-9-22), SS J.P. Crawford (.315-3-14, with 21 runs scored); Marco Gonzalez (4-0, 3.90); and Chris Flexen (3-1, 4.40).

FULL STANDINGS AND STATS THROUGH SEPTEMBER

CAN BE FOUND AT THE END OF THIS POST. 

——-Team Statistical Leaders for September———

RUNS SCORED

National League – Cardinals (158); Giants (158); Nationals (137)

American League – Blue Jays (167); Astros  (141); Red Sox (138(

Two teams scored fewer than 100 runs in September: Marlins (90); Diamondbacks (97). 

BATTING AVERAGE

National League – Giants (.277); Cubs (.266); Nationals (.265)

American League – Blue Jays  (274); Red Sox (.273); White Sox  (.269)

The lowest September team average belonged to the Marlins  at .213. Lowest in the AL was the Angels at .222.

HOME RUNS

National League – Cardinals (52); Dodgers (43); Braves (42)

American League –  Blue Jays  (55); Yankees (51); Astros (43)

The Rangers had the fewest September home runs at just 16 – the only MLB team under 20.  

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Cubs  (22); Cardinals (19); Pirates (17)

American League – Rangers (29); Royals (24); Indians  (20)

No team stole fewer bases in September than the Braves – just three swipes in six attempts. Notably, like the Braves, the Rangers (with MLB-best 29 September steals) were also caught just three times.  

WALKS DRAWN

National League –  Nationals (129); Giants (114); Pirates (106)

American League – Astros (97); Blue Jays  (96); White Sox  (93)

The Giants had MLB’s top September on-base percentage at .363. Tops in the AL were the White Sox at .349.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS 

National League – Cubs (260); Marlins  (255); Cardinals (253)

American League – Orioles (270); Indians  (268);  Twins (241)

The Padres and Reds fanned the fewest times in September (189).

BONUS STAT

The Blue Jays racked up the most September total bases (488). The Cardinals led the NL at 461. The Angels had the fewest September total bases (303).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League –  Dodgers (2.91); Giants (3.09); Braves (3.39)

American League – White Sox (3.69); Rays  (3.81);Tigers (3.92)

A surprising (at least for BBRT) eight teams (five in the NL, three in the AL) had September earned run averages north of 5.0.  The teams: Cubs (5.86); Padres (5.82); Orioles (5.42); Nationals (5.36) Pirates (5.34); Rangers (5.32); A’s (5.15); Rockies (5.06). 

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Brewers (265); Philllies (265); Giants (248)

American League – Yankees (291); Blue Jays  (260); Red Sox (245)

The Yankees’  staff fanned an MLB-highest 10.76 batters per nine innings in September. The Brewers led the NL at 10.32. Ten teams average better than one strikeout per inning for the month.

WALKS ALLOWED (most)

National League – Nationals (115); Pirates (110); Cubs (101)

American League – Astros (112); Tigers (102); Royals (93); Orioles )93)

The Giants walked the fewest batters per nine innings in September (2.47). The Rays held that distinction in the AL (2.58)

SAVES

National League –  Cardinals (14; Dodgers (11); Rockies (8); Braves (8)

American League – Mariners  (12); Twins (9); Tigers (9)

 The Padres had eight save opportunities in September and converted just one.

WHIP (Walks + Hits per Innings Pitched)

National League – Dodgers (1.08); Braves (1.09); Brewers (1.13)

American League – Rays (1.17); Blue Jays (1.21); White Sox (1.25)

BONUS STAT

The  Braves held opposing hitters to an MLB-lowest .207 batting average in September; while the Pirates staff had the worst of that stat at .284 for the month.

—– Some September Highlights—––

Just Another Day at the Office

The Shohei Ohtani stories just keep coming.  On September 3, the Angels’ DH/P started  on the mound against the Rangers (in LA). While he went zero-for-four at the plate, Ohtani threw 117 pitches in his seven-inning stint (seven hits, two earned runs, two walks and eight strikeouts) – getting the win, as the Angels triumphed 3-2. He ran his 2021 mound record to 9-1, 2.97 with the victory.

Goose Eggs – What a Rare and Beautiful Sight

On September 4, Brewers’ righty Adrian Houser pitched a three-hit shutout (no walks, seven strikeouts). as the Brew Crew topped the  Cardinals 4-0. The significance? It was not only Houser’s first MLB complete game, but also the Brewers’ first complete-game shutout since September 24, 2014 – a span of 1,011 games.   How dominant was Houser.? He threw 100 pitches, 76 for strikes – and recorded a first-pitch strike on 25 of 29 batters.  Houser, who came into the 2021 season with a 7-13 record over four MLB seasons, was 10-6, 3.22 on the 2021 season at the close of September.

100 for Pete Alonso

On September seventh, Mets’ 1B Pete Alonso, hit a two-run home run in top of the first inning of the Mets game against the Marlins,  It was his  100th MLB long ball – and    He reached 100 home runs balls in the second-fewest games in MLB history.  It was Alonso’s 347th  MLB game. The Phillies’ Ryan Howard did it in 325 games. (Side note:  Alonso reached 101 in the ninth inning of the same game – a Mets 9-4 win.)

No, No – Not Another No-No!

On September 11, Brewer’s right-hander Corbin Burnes (eight innings) and southpaw reliever Josh Hader (one inning) combined to throw a no-hitter as the Brewers topped the Indians 3-0 in Cleveland. A few tidbits from that game:  It was the ninth no-hitter of the 2021 season – the most no-hitters ever in a single campaign, breaking a record that dated back to 1884. It was also the seventh no-hitter tossed on the road this season (another record); and made the Indians the first team to be no-hit three times in one season.  For the full story of the game (and other combined no-hitter tidbits) , click here.

3,000 and Counting

On September 12, the Dodgers’ Max Scherzer topped the Padres 8-0 in LA – going eight innings, giving up just one hit and no walks, while fanning nine. In the process, he hit a couple of milestones. He recorded his 3,000^th strikeout (his sixth of the game) in the top of the fifth inning, getting Padres’ 1B Eric Hosmer (swinging on a 3-2 change up). But that wasn’t all.  In the third frame, he tossed an Immaculate Inning (three up, three down, three strikeouts on nine pitches) – getting the four, five and six hitters (SS Fernando Tatis, Jr., Hosmer and LF Tommy Pham). In doing that,  Scherzer became just the third pitcher to throw three immaculate Innings in his career – joining Chris Sale and Sandy Koufax in that somewhat exclusive club.

Max Scherzer ended September with 3,020 strikeouts – 18th all time.

Just Ask Siri … or the Elias Sports Bureau

On September 13, 26-year-old Jose Siri of the Astros made his first MLB start – in LF, batting eighth, against the Rangers. He went four-for-five in the game (a 15-1 Astros win), with two home runs, three runs scored and five RBI. In another, #InBaseballWeCountEverything moment, the Elias Sports Bureau reported that Siri was the first player to record two homers and five RBI in his first MLB start.  It was, by the way, Siri’s sixth MLB game since his September 2 call up to the team. He previously had been used as a pinch runner twice, a pinch hitter once, a defensive replacement once (CF) and had come as an injury replacement in the second inning of a September 11 game against the Angels.  It was, notably, Siri eighth professional season and he was hitting .318-16-72, with 24 steals, at Triple-A Sugar Land (Skeeters) when called up.  He finished September with a  .289-4-9 MLB line.

Old Guys Rule

On September 13, two 40+-year-olds started as mound opponents, as  Rich Hill (41 years-186 days old on game day) started for the Mets versus Adam Wainwright (40 years-14 days) of the Cardinals. Wainwright got the win with six scoreless innings (four hits, three walks, four strikeouts), while Hill took the loss (giving up three runs on six hits and two walks over five innings, with four strikeouts). It was the first time two pitchers over forty started against each other since 2015 (R.A. Dickey, Blue Jays versus Bartolo Colon, Mets).

The Oldest Match Up Ever

The Angels’ Don Sutton  (42 years-67 days) and the Indians’ Phil Niekro (48 years-68 days) were starting mound opponents – a combined 90 years 135 days old – on June 8, 1987. Both pitchers acquitted themselves well in that one. Niekro got the win (7 1/3 scoreless innings, three hits, five walks, four strikeouts) and Sutton took the loss (eight innings, six hits, two earned runs, no walks, two whiffs).

Bringing the Heat, Right Where it Hurts

On September 17, Padres’ reliever Austin Adams had quite an innings against the Cardinals. Adams came on in the bottom of the eighth with the Padres trailing 4-2. He gave up a double to  1B Paul Goldschmidt to open the inning, then fanned LF Tyler O’Neill on three pitches. Then things got a little “wild.”  He walked  3B Nolan Arenado on four pitches, threw a wild pitch on an 0-2 count to C Yadier Molina (with Goldschmidt and Arenado moving up a base) and then hit Molina on a 1-2 count.  At that point, he was relieved by Ross Detwiler, who gave up a grand slam to RF Dylan Carlson.

Adams’ plunking of Molina earned him a touch of fame.  It was his sixth hit batsman of September (in four innings pitched)  and his 24^th HBP of the season (in just 49 2/3 innings pitched). According to sources, it was the most hit batters by any pitcher in a season in the live ball era (since 1920), breaking the record (23) of Howard Ehmke, who hit 23 batters in 279 2/3 innings in 1922. Interestingly, despite all the plunked hitters, Adams has pitched pretty well – as of September 17, he had a 3-2, 4.17 record on the season (63 appearances. Also, previous to 2021, he had pitched 42 MLB innings (2017-2020) and hit only two batters.  And, in eight minor-league seasons (340 innings pitched), he had hit just 32 batters. (I’ll do the match, coming into this season he had hit 34 batters in 382 minor- and major-league innings (one every 11.24 innings). This season, through September 17, he had hit one batter every 2.05 innings. For those that like to know such things, the most batters hit in a single MLB season is 51, by Phil Knell (Columbus Solons – 1891).

Staying in the Hit by Pitch Lane

On September 17, the Astros went into the bottom of the tenth inning trailing the Diamondback 3-2 – with, of course, runner (Manny Maldonado) placed at second (do not like that rule). After Tyler Clippard got SS Carlos Correa on a line out to CF, DH Yordan Alvarez was intentionally walked (not much for that new wave ‘em to first rule either).  CF  Jake Meyer’s single then scored Maldonado with the tying run, with Alvarez going to second. Pinch hitter Aledmys Diaz the walked loading the bases. Clippard got ahead of LF Chas McCormick 0-2 and then plunked him with a pitch to bring in the winning run.  The pain was probably worth it, it was McCormick’s first-ever MLB walk-off RBI.

Perez Goes Deep

On September 20, Royals ‘catcher Salvador Perez his eighth home run of September giving him 46 on the season and the record for home runs in a season by a player who played 75 percent to f his games at catcher (topping Johnny Bench’s 45 in 1970.) Perez finished the month with a total of 48 long balls on the season, extending his own record.

As with most things’ baseball, there is some debate, as Perez has hit 33 of his 48 home runs in 122 games at catcher, 15 in 36 games as a DH. Still, to be fair, Bench’s ‘s 45 1970 home runs included 38 in 137 games at catcher, one is seven games at first base, five in 14 games in LF, one in seven games in RF and one as a pinch hitter. The most home runs hit in a season while in the game as a catcher is 42 by the Braves’ Javy Lopez  in 2003.  (He also had one home run as a pinch hitter.)

Another  Cycle

On September 20, Braves’ LF Eddie Rosario achieved the fourth cycle (single, double, triple and homer run in one game) of the 2021 season as Atlanta topped San Francisco 3-0. Rosario doubled in the second inning, tripled in the fifth, homered in the seventh and singled in the ninth,  for some “cycling” trivia, click here.

2,000 for Waino

September 23 was a bit of a rough day for Cardinal’s right-hander Adam Wainwright. The forty-year-old  Wainwright is having a solid 2012 season (17-7, 3.05), but on the 23^rd, he lasted just four innings, giving up five runs on four hits and two walks. Still, there was a right spot,. While Wainwright fanned just one batter ( Brewers’ 3B Luis Urias on a 2-2 pitch in the bottom of the fourth), it was his 2,000^th career strikeout.   Urias, by the way, did not make it easy,  After the count reached 2-2, Urias fouled off three Wainwright offerings before swinging and missing on a curveball for the landmark whiff.  Surprisingly, despite the Cardinals’ long history, Wainwright is only the second player to record 2,000 strikeouts for the Redbirds. The Cardinals won the game 8-5, coming back from a 5-0 fourth-inning deficit.

The Shohei Show Continues – and It’s a Walk in the Park

On September 24, Angels DH/P Shohei Ohtani came to the plate five times and drew four walks (two intentional), as the Angels lost to the Mariners 6-5 in LA.  In the process, he tied the MLB record (Bryce Harper – 2017) for most walks in three consecutive games – 11.  On September 23, Ohtani drew three walks in four plate appearances and on September 22, he her drew four walks in six plate appearances (two intestinal passes).  In the four  plate appearances  over those three games that he didn’t walk, Ohtani struck out three times and grounded out once.

More Ohtani

On September 25, Shohei Ohtani showed off his wheels, legging out two triples in three at bats in an Angels 14-1 win over the Marines. The performance gave him a league-leading seven triples on the season. )He added an eighth three-bagger later in the month.) He also displayed a good eye at the plate – walking twice in the game, giving him 13 walks over a four-game span, tying an MLB record shared by Babe Ruth (1930), Bryce Harper (2016) and Yasmani Grandal (earlier this season).

Max – Maddux Light

Greg “The Professor” Maddux was the master of efficiency on the mound.  In fact, MLB has informally coined the term “Tossing a Maddux” to indicate throwing a nine-inning complete- game shutout in 100 pitches of less. Well, on September 24, Braves’ lefty Max Fried tossed his second “Maddux” of the 2021 season. He used just 98 pitches (66 strikes)  to shutout the Padres in a 4-0 Braves’ win. Fried gave up just three hits, walked none and fanned four. In the game, just one Padre got as far as second base. Fried tossed a similar game on August 20 – as the Braves beat the Orioles 3-0 in Baltimore. In that one, he used just 90 pitches (66 strikes)  – giving up four hits, walking and fanning four.

Streak-us Interruptus

On September 11, Rays’ SS Wander Franco went down with a tight hamstring.  At the time, he had a thirty-nine game streak of getting on base (via it, walk or HBP) – four games short of the MLB record for a player who had not yet reached 21 years of age (more of #InBaseballWeCountEvferything) – a distinction held by Hall of Famer Frank Robinson.  Wander returned to the field on September 24 and picked up right where he left off, running his streak to 40 games with a sixth inning walk (he also had a double in the eighth) – as the Rays bested Miami 8-0.

Wander did not play on September 25 and then on September 26, as the Rays topped the Marlins 4-2, he collected a double and a home run in four at bats – extending the streak to 41 contests. He went on to reach base via a walk on September 28,. Then, with three hits on the 29^th , he tied Robinson’s 43-game streak. On the final day of the month, Wander’s streak ended with an zero-for-four versus the Astros. Strangely, despite the streak ending he did reach first base (more than once).

He reached first on a fielder’s choice in the fourth inning (fielder’s choice plays do not extend the streak). In the sixth inning, he reached first on what appeared to be an infield single, but was ruled out on replay. Then in the ninth,  he again got on base via a fielder’s choice.

For those who like to know such things, Hall of Famer Ted Williams holds the longest “getting on base” streak at 84 games (July-September 27, 1949). During his streak, he hit .317, with 112 hits and 92 walks. He hit 24 homers during the streak, scored 81 runs and drove in 80.  During his streak, Franco hot .329 (55 hits), with four home runs, 26 RBI, 39 runs scored and 17 walks.

100 – That a Nice Round Number

On September 26, the Dodgers won their 100^th game of the season, besting the Diamondbacks 3-0 in Arizona.  In the first inning of that contest, Dodgers’ SS Corey Seager popped a home run (on a 1-2 pitch from Humberto Mejia)  to give the Dodgers a 1-0 lead.  It was Seager’s 11^th long ball of the season and the 100^th home run of his career.  On the very next pitch, 2B Trea Turner hit his 25^th home run of the season – which was also the 100^th of his MLB career. Landmark long balls, back-to-back, on two pitches).  Side note:  the Dodgers completed their scoring with a second  solo home run from Seager in the third inning.

Brotherly Love

‘On September 27, Cleveland outfielder Bradley Zimmer faced his older broth Kyle Zimmer (pitching for the Royals) for the third time this season. The previous two brother-to-brother matchups had basically ended in a draw – a walk and a strikeout. The third matchup came in the bottom of the eighth, when Kyle was brought into the game in relief.  Younger brother Bradley led off the inning and a 1-1 pitch for a solo home run. Elias Sports Bureau indicated it was the fourth time in MLB history that a brother has homered off a brother:

October 7, 1904 … Naps’ George Stovall goes deep off the Tigers ‘Jesse Stovall.

July 19, 1933 …  BoSox’ Rick Ferrell homers off the Indians’ West Ferrell.

May 29, 1975 … Astros’ Joe Niekro goes deep off the Braves’ Phil Niekro.

Well-Timed Move, Marcus

On September 29, as the Blue Jays picked up a much- needed 6-5 win over the Yankees. Toronto SS Marcus Semien, hit his 44th  home run of the season. Semien who had appeared defensively solely at SS (for the A’s) over the previous six seasons (2015-2020), had been moved to second base by the Blue Jays, who saw Bo Bichette as their regular shortstop. Why was that such a good move?  That 44th home run gave Semien for the record for the most home runs by a second  baseman in an MLB season (breaking a tie with the Braves’ Davey Johnson -1973). If Semien had hit them as a shortstop, he would he would still be short of Alex Rodriguez’ record tor the position (57 in 2002).

–——Individual Statistical Leaders for September———

AVERAGE (75 September at bats minimum)

National League – Juan Soto, Nationals (.404); Corey Seager (.366); Javy Baez (.361)

American League –  Luis Robert, White Sox (.367); Luery Garcia, White Sox (.360); Bo Bichette, Blue Jays (.345)

HOME RUNS

National League – Tyler O’Neill, Cardinals (11); Nick Castellanos. Reds (9); Brandon Belt, Giants (9); Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (9); Francisco Lindor, Mets (9)

American League –  Marcus Semien, Blue Jays (12); Salvador Perez, Royals (10); Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees (10); Aaron Judge, Yankees (10)

The Giants’ Brandon Belt had the highest  September slugging percentage (among players with at least 75 at bats) at .721.  The Al leader was Lourdes Gurriel, Jr. at .694.

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – Tyler O’Neill, Cardinals (27); Nick Castellanos, Reds (25); Austin Riley, Braves (25); Francisco Lindor, Met (25)

American League – Lourdes Gurriel, Jr., Blue Jays (30); Andrew Benintendi, Royals (27); Salvador Perez (Royals (27)

HITS

National League – Frank Schwindel, Cubs (40); Juan Soto, Nationals (38); Alcides Escobar, Mets (36)

American League – Nicky Lopez, Royals (378); Bo Bichette, Blue Jays (38); Andrew Benintendi, Royals (37)

Juan Soto led MLB (players with at least 75 September at bats) in on-base percentage at .565.

DOUBLES

National League –  Luis Garcia, Nationals (11); Jonathan India, Reds (10); Harrison Bader, Cardinals (10)

American League –  Whit Merrifield, Royals (11); Jose Altuve, Astros (10); Kyle Tucker, Astros (10)

TRIPLES

National League – Brandon Nimmo, Mets (3); Bryan Reynolds, Pirates (3); Steve Duggar, Giants (3)

American League – Kevin Kiermaier, Rays (4); Shohei Ohtani (3); six with two

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Tommy Edman, Cardinals (7); Trea Turner, Dodgers (6); Ian Happ, Cubs (6)

American League – Aldaberto Mondesi, Royals (13); Myles Straw, Indians (7); Jose Ramirez, Indians (7); Yonny Hernandez, Rangers (7); Adolis Garcia, Rangers (7)

The Royals’ Aldaberto Mondesi was 13-for 13 in September steal attempts. 

WALKS

National League – Juan Soto, Nationals (35); Bryce Harper, Phillies (25); Josh Bell, Nationals (24)

American League – Yasmani Grandal, White Sox (22); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (22); Matt Olson, A’s (21)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Patrick Wisdom, Cubs (40); Tyler O’Neill, Cardinals (38); Adam Duvall, Braves (38)

American League – Miguel Sano, Twins (37); Franmil Reyes, Indians (36); Ryan Mountcastle, Orioles (36)

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League – Alex Reyes, Cardinals (5-1); Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (4-0); Julio Urias, Dodgers (4-0); Camilo Doval, Giants (4-0); Jacob Webb Braves (4-2)

American League – Michael Pineda, Twins (5-0); Adam Ottavino, Red Sox (4-0); Marco Gonzalez, Mariners (4-0); Cal Quantrill, Indians (4-1)

The Angels’ Packy Naughton led MLB in September losses, going 0-4, 7.79 in five starts.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (at least 25 innings pitched)

National League – Eric Lauer, Brewers (1.15); Ranger Suarez, Phillies (1.41); Zach Wheeler, Phillies (1.47)

American League – Wily Peralta, Tigers (1.75); Kris Bubic, Royals (2.08); Frankie Montas, A’s (2.19)

Among pitchers with at least 25 innings pitched or at least four starts in September the Cubs’ Zach Davies had the highest September ERA (0-2, 15.32 – 21 earned runs, over 12 1/3 innings in four stats.

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Max Scherzer, Dodgers (48 / 39 1/3 IP); Kevin Gausman, Giants (46 / 33 IP); Aaron Nola, Philllies (42 / 32 IP)

American League – Robbie Ray, Blue Jays (46 / 34 IP); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (43 / 33 1/3 IP); Jose Berrios. Blue Jays (42 / 39 IP)

SAVES

National League – Giovanny Gallegos, Cardinals (11); Will Smith, Braves (7); Carlos Estevez, Rockies (7); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (7)

American League – Jordan Romano, Blue Jays (8); Joe Barlow, Rangers (8); Liam Hendriks, White Sox (7); Alex Colome, Twins (7)

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

National League – Eric Lauer, Brewers (0.70); Max Fried, Braves (0.73); Max Scherzer, Dodgers (0.81)

American League – Joe Ryan, Twins (0.79); Jose Berrios, Blue Jays (0.79); Michael Wacha, Rays (0.80)

BONUS STAT

Among pitchers with at least 25 September innings, the Indians’ Eric Lauer held opponents o the lowest batting average (.133)

———-Year To Date———

–—Team  Statistical Leaders through  September ———-

RUNS SCORED (average 719)

National League –  Dodgers (804); Giants (788); Braves (776)

American League – Rays (841); Astros (840); Blue Jays (818)

AVERAGE (average .244)

National League – Nationals (.259); Giants (.250); Reds (.249); Rockies (.249)

American League – Astros (.266); Blue Jays (.264); Red Sox (.261)

The lowest team average through September  belonged to the Mariners  at .226.  The lowest average in the NL?  Marlins at .233.  Side note:  The Brewers (in first place in the NL Central) and the Pirates (in last place in the NL Central – 36 games out) tied for the second-lowest NL team average at .234.

HOME RUNS (average 194)

National League – Giants (238); Braves (234); Dodgers (229)

American League –  Blue Jays (251); Twins (224); Yankees (221)

The Pirates had the fewest home runs through September  at 122.

STOLEN BASES (average 72)

National League – Padres (110);  Marlins (105); Cardinals (85)

American League – Royals (121); Rangers (106); Indians (103)

The Reds  stole the fewest sacks through September  at 36 (in 59 attempts).

WALKS DRAWN (average 517)

National League – Dodgers (603); Giants (592); Padres (582)

American League – Yankees (616); White Sox (575; ); Rays (573)

The Astros led MLB  in on-base percentage through  September  at .338. The Nationals led the NL at .337. In slugging percentage, the Blue Jays  were on top at .461, while the Giants  led the NL at .442.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS (average 1,379)

National League – Cubs (1,573); Marlins (1,529); Diamondbacks (1,443)

American League – Rays (1,510); Tigers (1,483); Mariners (1,466)

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (average 4.25)

National League – Dodgers (2.99); Giants (3.27);  Brewers (3.39)

American League – Rays (3.70); Yankees (3.71); White Sox (3.73); Astros (3.73)

Pitching Counts

Three teams had ERA’s through September at 5.00  or higher – Orioles (5.77), Diamondbacks (5.11), and Pirates (5.09). They have a combined record of 161-316 – and all reside in last place.  Among the seven ERA leaders listed above, six have clinched post-season berths. Their combined W-L through September is 676-437. 

STRIKEOUTS (average 1,379)

National League – Brewers (1,599); Dodgers (1,566); Reds (1,493)

American League – White Sox (1,557); Yankees (1,537); Red Sox (1,493)

The Brewers and White Sox  each averaged an MLB-best 10.2 strikeouts per nine innings through September. The MLB average was 8.9.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED (average 517)

National League – Giants (412); Mets (468); Dodgers (481)

American League – Rays (431); A’s (431); Blue Jays (468)

The Giants walked a stringiest 2.6 batters per nine frames. They also  had the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 3.39.

SAVES (average 39)

National League – Giants (55); Dodgers (54); Cardinals (50)

American League – Mariners (50); Yankees (47); Red Sox (46)

BONUS STATS – WILD ONE

The Royals led all of baseball in wild pitchers through September (86), while the Cubs led in hit batters with 96. The MLB averages were 61 and 69, respectively. (Side note: The Reds’ and Dodgers’ hitters were plunked most often – 103 times.

——-Individual Statistical Leaders through September ———-

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

National League – Trea Turner, Dodgers (.325); Juan Soto, Nationals (.318); Nick Castellanos, Reds (.310)

American League – Yuli Gurriel, Astros (.316);  Vlad Guerrero, Jr. , Blue Jays (.313); Michael Brantley, Astros (.312)

HOME RUNS

National League – Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (42); Adam Duvall, Braves (38); Pete Alonso, Mets (37)

American League –   Salvador Perez, Royals (48); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (46); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (45)

RUNS BATTED IN

National League – Adam Duvall, Braves (112); Nolan Arenado, Cardinals (105); Austin Riley, Braves (105)

American League – Salvador Perez, Royals (121); Jose Abreu, White Sox (113); Teoscar Hernandez, Blue Jays (112)

The Padres’ Fernando Tatis, Jr. had the highest slugging percentage (among qualifiers) through September at .614).  Another Jr. – Vlad Guerrero of the Blue Jays led the AL at .596. 

RUNS SCORED

National League – Freddie Freeman, Braves (119); Juan Soto, Nationals (110); Trea Turner, Dodgers (102); Ozzie Albies, Braves (102)

American League – Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (120); Bo Bichette, Blue Jays (118); Jose Altuve, Astros (114)

HITS

National League –Trea Turner, Dodgers  (190); Freddie Freeman, Braves (177); Austin Riley, Braves (176)

American League – Bo Bichette, Blue Jays (186); Vlad Guerrero, Jr., Blue Jays (185); Whit Merrifield, Royal (180)

DOUBLES

National League –  Tommy Edman, Cardinals (41); Bryce Harper, Phillies (40); Ozzie Albies, Braves (38)

American League – Jeimer Candelario, Tigers  (42);   J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (42); Whit Merrifield, Royals (41)

The Blue Jays’ Marcus Semien had the most extra-base hits through August (85). The Braves’ Ozzie Albies led the NL with 75 extra-base knocks.

TRIPLES

National League – Dave Peralta, D-backs (8); Jake Cronenworth, Padres (7); Bryan Reynolds, Pirates (7); Ozzie Albies, Braves (7)

American League – Shohei Ohtani, Angels (8); Akil Baddoo, Tigers (7); five with six

STOLEN BASES

National League –  Trea Turner, Dodgers (32); Tommy Edman, Cardinals (28); Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (25)

American League –Whit Merrifield, Royals (40); Cedric Mullins, Orioles (30); Myles Straw, Indians (29)

The most stolen bases without being thrown out through September was 21  by the Royals’ Nicky Lopez.

Starling Marte leads the  major leagues in steals with 45 – 22 with the Marlins and 23 with the A’s.   

WALKS

National League – Juan Soto, Nationals (140); Bryce Harper, Phillies (99);  Freddie Freeman, Braves (84)

American League – Joey Gallo, Yankees (110); Robbie Grossman, Tigers (96); Shohei Ohtani, Angels (91)

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Javier Baez, Mets (182); Adam Duvall, Braves (174); Eugenio Suarez, Reds (169)

American League – Joey Gallo, Yankees (209); Matt Chapman, A’s (201); Adolis Garcia, Rangers (191)

PITCHING VICTORIES

National League –Julio Urias, Dodgers (19-3); Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (17-7); Walker Buehler, Dodgers (15-4); Max Scherzer, Dodgers (15-4)

American League – Gerrit Cole, Yankees (16-8); Chris Flexen, Mariners  A’s (14-6); seven with thirteen

The  Reds’ Jorge Lopez (8-16, 4.05) and Nationals’ Patrick Corbin  (9-16, 5.82) led MLB in losses through September.

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

National League – Corbin Burnes, Brewers (2.29); Max Scherzer. Dodgers (2.46); Walker Buehler, Dodgers (2.49)

American League – Robbie Ray, Blue Jays (2.84);  Lance McCullers, Astros (3.16)’ Gerrit Cole, Yankees (3.23)

INNINGS PITCHED

National League – Zach Wheeler, Phillies (213 1/3 IP); Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (206 1/3 IP); Walker Buehler,  Dodgers (202 2/3 IP)

American League – Robbie Ray, Blue Jays (193 1/3); Jose Berrios, Blue Jays (192);  Frankie Montas, A’s (187)

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Zack Wheeler, Phillies (247  / 213 1/3 IP);  Max Scherzer, Dodgers (236 / 179 1/3 IP); Corbin Burnes, Brewers (230 / 165 IP)

American League – Robbie Ray, Blue Jays (248 / 193 1/3 IP); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (243 / 181 1/3 IP); Dylan Cease, White Sox (221 / 161 2/3 IP)

Among qualifying pitchers, the Brewers’ Corbin Burnes had the best strikeouts/nine innings ratio through September  at 12.55. The White Sox’ Dylan Cease  led the AL  at 12.30.  The only other pitcher at 12.0 or higher was Gerrit Cole of the Yankees(12.06). Fourteen qualifying pitchers averaged 10+ strikeouts per nine innings through September.

Among qualifying pitchers,  Burnes also had the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 6.97.

SAVES

National League – Mark Melancon, Padres (38); Kenley Jansen, Dodgers (37); Will Smith Braves (37)

American League – Liam Hendriks, White Sox (37):  Raisel Iglesias, Angels (33);  Aroldis Chapman, Yankees (30)

WHIP (among qualifiers)

National League – Max Scherzer, Dodgers (0.86); Corbin Burners, Brewers (0.93); Brandon Woodruff, Brewers (0.96)

American League – Robbie Ray, Blue Jays (1.04); Gerrit Cole, Yankees (1.06); Jose Berrios, Blue Jays (1.06)

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; MLB.com; Elias Sport Bureau

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

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