Category: Sports News

For one night, it wasn’t swinging bunts or soft jam shots that killed the Phillies pitching staff. Instead, it was hard contact from the Cubs lineup that plagued Nola’s night.

Aaron Nola walked back to the mound for his second inning of work in Wrigley, after the offense behind him stranded the bases loaded with two outs, and the Cubs bats pounced.

Ian Happ smacks a 111.5 mph rocket in front of Adolis Garcia. Moisés Ballesteros took the very next pitch right to Garcia again. After a Michael Conforto walk, Nola got one of the best case scenarios when Miguel Amaya got on top of a curveball for a routine double play.

The Cubs lineup does not stop after the first seven hitters. Their eight hole hitter, Pete Crow-Armstrong, recently signed a 115 million dollar extension and played for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic. He worked a walk.

Dansby Swanson as their nine hole hitter? The highly paid two-time all-star crushed a center-cut fastball to make it 4-0.

In the third, Michael Busch didn’t make hard contact but slapped an opposite field single in front of Brandon Marsh. Alex Bregman then smacked another center-cut fastball for a double. A few batters later, Michael Conforto got a ball in the air to get an extra run.

The Phillies’ offense looked lifeless again. Including tonight, they’ve scored ten runs during their six-game losing streak. They ranked 21st in slugging heading into the night and only generated one extra base hit, an RBI double from Justin Crawford, moving up to eighth in the lineup with Rafael Marchan catching.

Aaron Nola lagged through four and a third, allowing five runs on eight hits with a surprising four walks. He could not command the arm-side fastball and the curveball didn’t generate enough chase.

The other three and two-thirds of this game were covered by the Phillies bullpen depth, which has been pretty consistent with Jhoan Duran, Jonathan Bowlan, and Zach Pop on the injured list. Backhus worked out of the fifth against right handed hitters Seiya Suzuki and Matt Shaw.

For the second straight night, Chase Shugart got middle relief work with the Phillies trailing. He touched 96 mph again and worked a deep mix for two scoreless innings of work. Seth Johnson struggled for allowed two quick base runners but got the next three hitters out on his four-seam fastball.

Even with the their depth arms keeping Cubs hitters quiet, the Phillies offense couldn’t muster much from the few opportunities they got.

In the eighth inning, Bryce Harper and Alec Bohm worked walks against Holby Milner that put runners on first and second. With two outs, Bryson Stott stayed in to face the side arm left hander Gabe Kapler once said was “nasty brother”. After working a two-two count, Stott popped up a sweeper to end the inning.

In the ninth, Justin Crawford worked a nine-pitch walk from Corbin Martin. He later took second base on a botched pick-off attempt and got to third base on a wild pitch later.

The Phillies had three more chances with a runner in scoring position and were 0-for-their-last-20. Marchan stayed in to bat and hit a pop-up to Alex Bregman. Trea Turner got a pitch he wanted but Matt Shaw made a diving play. Kyle Schwarber smacked a pop-up in foul territory to end the game.

The Cubs defense made several plays tonight to turn hits into outs, the Phillies saw Crawford not get to two different balls to center field. Colin Rea pitched six and two-thirds of one-run ball while Nola couldn’t finish five innings.

If it’s June and the Phillies were sitting in first place, this game doesn’t feature mounting pressure. It isn’t coming the night after Ken Rosenthal speculates on Rob Thomson’s job security. There doesn’t have to be massive conclusions or reactions.

But at 8-14 to start the year, the Phillies have to take it on the chin.

Sal Stewart found himself down 0-2 in his first plate appearance of the game on Monday down in Tampa, the PA coming in the Top of the 1st inning after a rare Matt McLain double. Sal was willing to be patient, though, and he laid off several tempting pitches as he battled his way back to a 3-2 count against Rays starter Jesse Scholtens.

After putting the pressure on the opposing pitcher to have to throw a strike, Sal did not miss.

Cincinnati’s star rookie smashed a 2-run homer nearly 430 feet over the wall in centerfield at the Trop, and as it turns out that would be all the runs the Reds would need in their 6-1 series opening win over the Rays.

While Sal’s exploits were both immediate and loud, it was the much more gradual work from another highly touted Cincinnati rookie that ended up being just as impressive. Starter Rhett Lowder loaded the bases and eventually even walked in a run in the Bottom of the 1st as Tampa mounted an immediate response to Sal’s homer, and Lowder looked far from dialed in initially. At the end of the grind, though, he finished with an excellent 6.0 IP of 5 H, ER, 2 BB, 3 K ball on 93 pitches, keeping Tampa’s hitters off-balance just enough to the offense around him pour it on for the win.

He even got some serious help from the likes of Elly De La Cruz, who made this spectacular defensive play off the bat of Junior Caminero. This ball was hit over 112 mph off the bat!

In the end, though, it was definitely another Sal Stewart day, and he’ll take another Joe Nuxhall Memorial Honorary Star of the Game award home. He joins Yordan Alvarez as the only two players in baseball with at least 8 dingers and 20 ribbies so far this season (as of the time of writing this), and that’s pretty damn elite company.

Hat-tip to the Cincinnati bullpen ‘backups’ who locked this one down, too, as each of Brock Burke, Pierce Johnson, and Connor Phillips fired scoreless frames to seal the victory.

These two clubs will meet again tomorrow with Chase Burns on the mound opposite Steven Matz, with first pitch set for 6:40 PM ET.

The Cincinnati Reds are 15-8. 15-8!

The Atlanta Braves faced the Washington Nationals this evening in hopes of winning their MLB leading sixth straight win behind their new and improved ERA leader, Bryce Elder. The Nationals came into the game scoring the third most runs per game in all of MLB thus far this season, but also have an ERA north of six.

The first inning did not start out great for Atlanta. The Braves were facing Jake Irving and his subpar 6.16 ERA. The Braves were sat down in order without a baserunner. Bryce Elder then had one of his worst innings this season in the bottom half of the inning. He was able to sit down the first two hitters with a groundout and pop up, but then it went south fast. He gave up a single to House and then walked Abrams and Lile to load the bases. Young then singled to score two runs to make the score 0-2. Finally Elder was able to end the inning with a strikeout.

It was more of the same for the Braves offensively in the second. Riley, Albies, and Harris all got out with balls in play. The good news is that all three of them smoked the ball. The slowest batted ball in the inning was 99.4 MPH. Elder looked like he maintained composure in the second. He did not surrender a baserunner and picked up two strikeouts to include rising star James Wood.

It was starting to feel like a déjà vu in the third for the Braves. They yet again did not produce a single baserunner and it was starting to look like the red hot Braves offense was starting to lose the magic they have had, especially considering the starter they were facing. Fortunately, Elder kept them in the game. He was able to retire the side without a baserunner again. It has been impressive to see Elder shake off bad starts to games and get back into it unshaken.

The fourth inning we finally saw the first baserunner for the Braves, but it was not in a fashion that we would hope for. Ronald Acuña was hit by a pitch. To make matters worse, he was once again picked off. He is clearly struggling this season making base running adjustments. Baldwin was able to get the momentum started though with a single and then Matt Olson continued to rake with a game tying two-run HR to dead center.

The Braves could not keep the runs coming in the fourth, but damage was done and they were one step closer to breaking into the Nationals’ bullpen that currently has an ERA of 5.37 which is good for twenty-fifth in MLB. Bryce Elder slipped up and allowed a HR to Lile to put the Braves behind one run in the bottom of the fourth, but he was able to shake it off and retire the next three hitters.

It looked like the Braves may keep it going in the fifth when Dominic Smith yet again reached base in a game. He singled with one out, but then Mateo hit into. double play. Elder stayed in for the fifth inning and and sat down all three hitters.

The sixth inning was a scary one. Yastrzemki reached on an error and then Acuña was hit again. He stayed in the game, but then was removed.

The glass half full is that this started a rally for the Braves. Irvin was removed and the Braves took full advantage. Baldwin continued to rake and brought in two runs via a double to give the Braves a one run lead. Matt Olson then moved Baldwin to third via a fly ball and then Austin Riley walked. Albies then hit a bloop single to bring in another run after another pitching change that brought in Brad Lord.

Michael Harris then got in on the fun and had an RBI single of his own to give the Braves a three run lead followed by Dominic Smith bringing in a run on a groundout to make the score 7-3. Mateo and Yastrzemski were retired, but the sixth was a huge inning.

In the sixth Eli White replaced Acuña. Elder was showing signs of slowing down, but still got the job done for the most part. He got House to line out, but then pegged Abrams in the hip. Was it on purpose? Perhaps we will never know. Abrams did not waste time to steal second base. Lile popped up to shortstop, but then Riley overthrew Matt Olson on a Young grounder and Abrams was able to score. Fortunately, Elder was able to force a pop up to end the inning.

The Braves’ offense was finally cooled off in the seventh when the top three hitters were sat down in order. Bryce Elder surprisingly was left in the game in the seventh. It was likely due to it being the bottom of the order. The gamble paid off when he was able to strike out Millas and force a line out. Bummer then replaced Elder to finish out the seventh by inducing a ground ball to Wood. Elder ended his night with three earned runs, three hits, two walks, and six strikeouts in 6.2 innings of work. It was a solid start for him, even if his ERA doubled on the season. In all seriousness, his ERA is still only 1.50.

The Braves decided to chill out in the eighth, just like they did in the seventh. Riley, Albies, and Harris were all sat down in order. Tyler Kinley, who is having an elite season so far, replaced Bummer to pitch in the bottom of the eighth. As expected, he dominated. He induced a groundout and then struck out two more hitters. He now has nine strikeouts in 10.0 innings and lowered his ERA to 0.90.

In the ninth Smith was retired but then Mateo walked and Yastrzemski finally joined the hit parade with a single to put runners on the corners. We then saw something that we rarely see in pro baseball. Eli White laid down a bunt with a runner on third and was able to score the run and reach safely at first just missing the glove of irst baseman Luis García to give the Braves a four run lead. You have to see it to believe it.

Baldwin then reached base yet again. This time he reached via a walk and it loaded the bases. Matt Olson then had a sacrifice fly to score the runner from third to make the score 9-4. Austin Riley continued his rough night with a strikeout, but the Braves were already in a commanding lead.

Joel Payamps came in to pitch with a big cushion this time around. He showed tonight why there was faith put in him to hold a roster spot. He induced two routine flies to CF, and a strikeout on four pitches.

The Braves won tonight in a deciding fashion by winning by more runs than the opposing team scored, which is saying something considering the Nats have scored the third most runs per game in MLB this season.

The main storylines tonight were that Elder showed that he can maintain composure while facing some adversity, the bats are still very much alive, and Acuña. got hit by a pitch twice and was removed from the game. We did get some good news though. X-rays were negative.

The Braves will take on the Nationals again tomorrow where Reynaldo López will take the mound against Foster Griffin. Both pitchers have solid ERAs with López having a 2.18 and Griffin having a 3.05. Both have pitched 20.2 innings this year.

The first of three games at Angel Stadium. I figured it would be Angels Stadium.

I was there a number of years ago and really enjoyed the park (which means we must have won). One of the games we sat in an area where they had waiters to bring us food and drink so we didn’t have to get up at all. I think I only got popcorn and a beer but not much more (if I remember right).

And late night games you could see the fireworks from Disneyland, which was fun.

I’m not a fan of American beers, though I’m sure they have some good craft beers. At Angel Stadium, I didn’t know any of the beers, and asked what I should get, she said ‘this one is popular’. So I got it, it is the only time in my lift that I’ve poured out a beer. It was undrinkable.

Go Jays Go.

The less said about this one, the better. Astros 9, Guardians 2.

We appear to have a Slade Cecconi problem. After tonight he has a 6.20 ERA. But, not to fret… it’s only a 5.97 FIP. I attempted a hot take of saying that Cecconi would be the rotation’s second-best pitcher when I thought he was probably their fourth-best. It turns out that saying he would be fourth-best should have been my hot take. His velocity was back tonight, but the pitch mix seemed suspect with way too many four-seamers early in counts.

Slade has to find a way to get some whiffs and avoid more barrels or he’ll be ticketed to the pen as soon as Will Dion, Matt Wilkinson or Khal Stephen show they are ready. Does it help that I think Slade would probably be very good for one inning at a time out of the pen? No? Well… I tried.

Which is more than I can say for most of the Guardians tonight. Jose Ramirez had a walk and a double, but also an error and a called K where he looked unnaturally confused. Hoskins had two hits, a walk and an RBI and George Valera had an RBI hit, also. DeLauter continues to slump, with two pop-ups and a walk. Kwan’s OPS is .580 and should be replaced as leadoff hitter by .847 OPS-Rocchio who had three hits and a walk. Juan Brito made a nice basket catch but continues to chase and (weakly) hit too many bad pitches.

Matt Festa, Tim Herrin and Connor Brogdon pitched tonight, but not particularly well. Isaac Parades and Christian Walker seemed determine to show the Guardians that they should have traded for one of them when the Astros were trying to give Walker away. But, joke’s on you guys! We kept Kyle “I Have No Idea Why I Am Striking Out Almost Forty Percent of the Time” Manzardo. (Just kidding, Kyle! I love you. Just please, please, WAKE UP!)

Good news is that the Tigers lost and we get to see the Guardians play another game tomorrow. Parker Messick is on his hill and all’s right with the world.

Hate losing to the Asfros, though. Bleah. Get well soon, Ben Lively

Michael McGreevy did not have his best stuff Monday night and the Miami Marlins took advantage of his mistakes beating the St. Louis Cardinals 5-3, but Jordan Walker did extend his hitting streak to 15 games.

Monday night’s game began as a pitcher’s duel. The Cardinals missed a golden opportunity to score in the top of the 1st inning after JJ Wetherholt and Ivan Herrera were both hit by pitches, but Alec Burleson grounded out, Jordan Walker struck out and Nolan Gorman grounded out stranding both of them. There was no score until the top of the 4th inning when Jordan Walker hit a sharp single up the middle, stole second base then advanced to third base on a wild pitch by Max Meyer. Walker scored the first run of the game on a sacrifice fly by Masyn Winn making it 1-0 Cardinals.

A walk by Michael McGreevy in the bottom of the 4th inning came back to haunt him. He walked Kyle Stowers with one out. Stowers advanced to second on a fielder’s choice and then scored on a ground rule double by Xavier Edwards tying the game 1-1. The Marlins would take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 5th inning when Agustin Ramirez crushed a home run to deep left center.

The Cardinals tied the game in the top of the 6th inning when Jordan Walker walked. After Nolan Gorman flied out, Walker advanced to third base when Masyn Winn singled. He scored on a wild pitch by Calvin Faucher who had just entered the game in relief of Meyer. Meyer had 8 strikeouts over his 5 1/3 innings with 2 walks and 2 earned runs.

The Marlins would regain the lead in the bottom of the 6th inning when Stowers singled and scored after Lopez doubled. McGreevy would give up a walk to Edwards. Hicks then singled which scored Lopez, but Edwards was thrown out at home by an excellent cutoff throw by Masyn Winn giving the Marlins a 4-2 lead. Matt Svanson got the last out of the bottom of the 6th inning. Michael McGreevy completed 5 2/3 innings allowing 5 hits, 2 walks, 3 strikeouts and 4 earned runs.

Miami would add an insurance run in the bottom of the 8th when Lopez and Edwards were walked by relief pitcher Ryan Fernandez. Liam Hicks then singled which scored Lopez making it 5-2 Marlins, but Jordan Walker fired a cannon to third base to nail Edwards.

The Cardinals tried to mount another 9th inning comeback as Masyn Winn hit the first triple of the season for St. Louis and scored on a sacrifice fly by Ramón Urías making it 5-3 Marlins, but that was all they could muster after Saggese and Fermin struck out.

The Cardinals will send Dustin May to the mound for the 2nd game against Miami Tuesday night as Chris Paddack will start the game for the Marlins. First pitch is scheduled for 5:40pm central time Tuesday.