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MLB Morning News – April 12, 2023

Get caught up on everything you need to know from Tuesday's games.

Pablo Figueroa
MLB Morning News 4/12/2023

Stay updated on everything baseball with our morning MLB News & Moments articles. We’ve got you covered to keep you in the know.

Tuesday was full of milestones, exciting performances and the Rays continuing their pursuit of 162-0. Let’s get into it!

 

Today’s Headlines

 

Rays allow 2 runs, still win 11th straight

Following back-to-back-to-back shutout wins, the Rays saw their scoreless streak snapped at 32 innings when a groundout scored Boston’s first run of the game. However, that was deemed almost irrelevant as Tampa was already leading 5-0 with a dominant Shane McClanahan on the mound. The lefty earned his third win of the season, allowing only one run over 5 innings with 9 strikeouts. His pitching was backed by 4 Tampa home runs, including consecutive taters from Yandy Díaz and Brandon Lowe in the fifth inning. Their winning streak is now up to 11 games to start the year, getting closer to the 1987 Brewers and the 1982 Braves, who share the best opening to a season since 1900, with 13 wins.


Luis Arráez hits for the cycle

The Marlins beat the Phillies 8-4, with much of the heavy lifting coming from newcomer Luis Arráez, who hit for the first cycle in franchise history. The Florida/Miami organization was the only remaining MLB franchise without a cycle—until today. A first-inning double was followed by a triple in the sixth, a solo home run in the seventh, and an RBI single in the eighth to complete the feat. After winning the AL batting title in 2022, Arráez continues to be red-hot, with a .537 average that leads the majors.

 

Shohei dominates the Nationals

For the second consecutive start on the mound, Shohei Ohtani struggled with his command and allowed 5 walks over seven strong innings. Outside of that, he was nearly unhittable, allowing a double as the only Washington hit of the evening. While he struck out twice at the plate and only delivered a hit, his seven scoreless innings have now lowered his ERA to a microscopic 0.47 over 19 innings, with 18 baserunners allowed and 24 strikeouts. The Angels’ offense did just enough to score twice, while the bullpen preserved the 2-0 win.

 

Jordan Walker extends hitting streak

The Cardinals earned a much-needed win in Colorado, coming back from a 6-2 hole to win 9-6 in a vintage Coors Field game. Despite St. Louis’ struggles, Jordan Walker continues to be a walking highlight, now getting a hit for an 11th consecutive game to start his career. His single was the only hit of the day, but his average remains strong at .326

 

Corbin Burnes finds his groove

For six tense innings, Merrill Kelly and Corbin Burnes were locked in a pitchers’ duel that featured a lone hit and appeared to be heading towards an epic final line. That was not to be, as Willy Adames led off the seventh with a solo homer, opening the floodgates for Milwaukee, who ended up scoring five times in the inning. Burnes held up his end of the bargain, finishing with eight scoreless innings, with three hits and no walks allowed. The former Cy Young had come into the game with a 9.64 ERA, but his cutter came back to life as he cooled off the Diamondbacks, who had won four straight.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Ji Hwan Bae walks it off

Following his brief cup of coffee in 2022, Pirates’ second baseman Ji Hwan Bae delivered his first signature MLB moment, with a three-run walk-off homer against Ryan Pressly and the defending champ Astros. After Pittsburgh blew a two-run lead in the top of the ninth, Bae came up clutch to extend Pittsburgh’s surprise start in 2023. Make sure to also check the Korean-language call of the walk-off.

 

Ryan Mountcastle goes supernova

As part of a 12-8 slugfest in Camden Yards, Orioles first baseman Ryan Mountcastle had the game of his life. With three total hits that included a grand slam and a 3-run homer, Mountcastle tied a Baltimore record with 9 RBI and became the first player in MLB with at least 9 RBI since Adam Duvall in 2020. His offensive exploits proved essential to lead the Orioles’ win, as they erased a 7-3 early deficit.

 

Kevin Kiermaier, still awesome

Just a few days before his 33rd birthday, Kevin Kiermaier continues to produce highlights in center field. With Tigers DH Kerry Carpenter at the plate, a deep fly ball was somehow brought back by Kiermaier. The homer robbery proved to be important, as Toronto came back from a 3-run deficit to defeat Detroit.

 

Injuries

 

After leaving Monday´s game in Minnesota with an apparent injury, White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson has been placed on the IL with a sprained left knee. Anderson, a two-time All-Star, is expected to miss between two and four weeks, which could be a tough setback for a Chicago team that has struggled to find its offensive rhythm to start the season. His spot on the roster will be covered by infielder Lenyn Sosa.

In what is probably the only piece of bad baseball news in the Tampa area recently, the Rays placed starting pitcher Zach Eflin on the 15-day IL with lower back tightness. After signing the largest free-agent deal in Rays history, Eflin has been solid to start the year, contributing with two wins and a 3.27 ERA. While Tampa Bay is scheduling a precautionary MRI, it appears that the injury is minor and Eflin will return soon. His spot on the rotation will be covered by Taj Bradley, the team´s #1 pitching prospect.

Playoff hero Ian Anderson is officially out for the whole 2023 season, as he will undergo Tommy John surgery. The right-hander was expecting to make a comeback with Atlanta after a rough 2022 in which he was ultimately optioned to the Minor Leagues. Unfortunately, he will go under the knife with the hope of resuming his career next year. Following the early-season absence of ace Max Fried, the Braves will see their pitching depth tested in the tough NL East.

After welcoming his third child to the world, Carlos Rodón is expected to have a bullpen session today. According to manager Aaron Boone, the Yankees’ prized free-agent acquisition was supposed to throw earlier in the week but was held back due to back tightness. While there is no projected date for his first start in pinstripes, this should be a step in the right direction for the southpaw.

 

Articles You Should Read

 

The Royals Try a New Shift – Ben Clemens, Fangraphs

Incredible Stats from the Rays’ Winning Streak – Sarah Langs, MLB.com

 

Fantasy Baseball Coverage

 

The List: Top 100 Starting Pitchers

Starting Pitcher Streamer Ranks for April 12

Closing Time: Ranking the Top 30 Closers

Pablo Figueroa

Pablo Figueroa is a Baseball Writer here at Pitcher List, with experience as a writer since 2013. He lives in Aguascalientes, Mexico - proud home of Los Rieleros. When he´s not thinking about baseball , he's a husband, owns two dogs, watches random episodes of The Sopranos , plays padel, and works on his day job to pay the bills.

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