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MLB News & Moments: Without Judge, Yankees Falter

Matt Chapman and the Giants can't stop hitting grand slams.

Pablo Figueroa
MLB Morning News 9 Hours Ago

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

On a banner day for runs and power, 42 homers were hit across the league, starting early with Willy Adames and ending late with Freddie Freeman’s clutch gene. With four teams scoring in double digits and plenty of roller-coaster affairs, it was fitting that we enter the weekend with a 1-0 final.

 

Today’s Headlines

 

Willson!

The Yankees started the day with more information regarding Aaron Judge’s injury, and the news was far from good. Judge is set to miss several months, with a chance of returning close to the end of the season, turning a promising season into a question mark, as previous extended absences by Judge have derailed the Yankees and their offense. Facing bitter rival Boston turned the difficult day into something darker, as Sonny Gray was effective and efficient, limiting the Bombers to three runs over 6.1 innings despite notching only three strikeouts. Boston’s offense was headlined by Willson Contreras, as the catcher hit his 13th homer of the season and drove in two runs, leading the Red Sox to a 5-3 win. Aroldis Chapman allowed two walks but held on for the save, as his ERA stands at a microscopic 0.46.

Big Unfriendly Giants

In most offensive categories, the Giants have been a calamity and rank in the bottom third in baseball. For the last two days, you would be excused for thinking they are the second coming of the ’27 Yankees, as San Francisco has improbably turned into an unstoppable scoring machine. After a 12-run effort in Milwaukee, not even a rain delay stopped the Giants’ newfound offensive prowess, as Willy Adames opened the scoring with a two-run homer in the first. The fireworks show would start in earnest in the fourth, as a Matt Chapman grand slam and a Casey Schmitt two-run blast tilted the contest into San Francisco’s favor. Two frames later, the Giants would go back to their high-scoring ways, sending twelve men to the plate, scoring seven times as Adames and Chapman got their second homers of the day. In the end, the Giants put up 18 runs with 19 hits, as Schmitt also joined the two-homer-day club. Chapman added 8 RBI to his ledger in a banner day for his career, while pitcher Robbie Ray barely went five innings and earned his fourth win.

The Power of Coors

On paper, a matchup between the Brewers and Rockies is a huge mismatch, with Milwaukee having a contact-oriented approach on offense and enough pitching to overwhelm the lowly Colorado. However, Coors Field continues to be a great equalizer, with any game played there having the potential of turning into chaos in a hurry. Colorado starter Ryan Feltner had an impressive outing, holding the Brew Crew to only one run over six innings, leaving the game with a 3-1 lead that held until the ninth. Converted starter Antonio Senzatela had been perfect in the eighth, needing 15 pitches to strike out the side. The ninth was a completely different monster, as three straight Brewers reached before Senzatela could record an out, ultimately blowing the save by allowing four runs to score. Milwaukee’s 5-3 was then promptly squandered by closer Trevor Megill, who narrowly avoided a walk-off loss but still sent the game to extras. The ghost runner is almost unfair at Coors, and Milwaukee made the most of it by scoring four times, knowing full well that the game was not over. Bullpen wiz Aaron Ashby was tasked with protecting the lead, but loaded the bases with no outs, setting up the stage for a Colorado comeback. However, Ashby managed to settle down and allow only two runs, closing the thrilling 9-7 win for the Brewers. This is how a routine 3-1 game turned into a 16-run monster.

Adley the Man

The last time Trey Yesavage faced the Orioles, he allowed seven walks but found a way to avoid the big inning several times. Last night, he appeared to be his usual self, dusting off an Adley Rutschman solo homer and taking a 3-1 lead into the sixth. As Jackson Holliday doubled to open the inning, the wheels fell off for Yesavage, and things would only get uglier from there. Baltimore scored five times in the inning and took the lead, chasing Yesavage with six runs allowed. The maligned Toronto bullpen proceeded to allow seven runs over the final two frames, as the Orioles closed the game with an impressive 13-3 win. Rutschman’s early homer was only a preview of his heroics, as the catcher ended his day with four hits, including two doubles and a homer, with four runs and five RBI.

Like They Drew It Up

Following a recent funk in which their pitching had not been up to standard, the Rays needed an early-series statement against their state rivals. Drew Rasmussen answered the call, delivering one of the best outings of his career. With a three-run first handing him plenty of support, the righty had no trouble carving up the Marlins, allowing only a Javier Sanoja single in the second before retiring 19 batters in a row. Rasmussen would only allow that one hit over seven scoreless innings, while striking out nine, for his fifth win of the season. Tampa Bay would add insurance runs late in the game, cruising to a comfortable 6-0 win that keeps them atop the AL East.

 

By The Numbers

 

30 After Thursday’s 12-run outburst and yesterday’s 18-run explosion, the Giants scored 30 runs over a span of two consecutive games for the first time since 1944.

101 With a homer in three straight games, Houston’s Isaac Paredes reached 101 for his career. He is fourth in the all-time list of Mexican-born players.

20 With last night’s walk-off homer against the Angels, Freddie Freeman collected the 20th walk-off hit of his career, including postseason. He is only one of four players who have reached that number in the past 50 years.

6 After a home shutout at the hands of the Mets, the Padres are on a six-game losing streak. No other team has an active losing skid of more than two games.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Sliding to Victory

It seems like eons ago, but remember when the Phillies started so poorly they had to fire their manager? That is all squarely in the past, especially with how Philadelphia is playing lately. After an 8-6 home win over the White Sox, Philly is now 25-10 since April 27, going from an early disaster to a true NL contender in the process. With vibes at an all-time high, even the hulking Kyle Schwarber can make slides to home plate look graceful, much like his sleeker teammate Trea Turner. With Schwarber going 4-for-5 with four singles, even the small things are going well for the Phils.

Look, Ma – No Glove!

In a strangely tight game between the terrible Angels and the contending Dodgers, Freddie Freeman won it all on a walk-off solo homer in the ninth. However, his biggest contribution to the game may have come earlier, as the receiving end on a fantastic play from Miguel Rojas. From one World Series hero to another, Rojas somehow fielded a sharp grounder up the middle that had deflected off pitcher Roki Sasaki, with an off-balance, barehanded throw turning a sure hit into an improbable out. Sasaki was also fantastic with 10 Ks over seven scoreless frames, as the Dodgers took the 1-0 nailbiter.

Gory, Story, Allegory… Corey

Through five innings, Cleveland starter Parker Messick was dealing, as the Guardians held a 2-0 lead that looked way more imposing with Messick on the mound. A Kyle Higashioka homer to open the sixth made a dent on the lefty, opening the door for a very special comeback. Corey Seager was in a deep slump before heading to the IL, as he had missed nearly three weeks, and then started the game 0-for-2. With a man on base, Seager reminded everyone why he is so important for the Rangers, turning a deficit into a 3-2 lead. The score would hold until the end, as closer Jacob Latz held on for a two-inning save.

 

Injuries and Other Moves

 

⚾ The Tigers announced that ace Tarik Skubal will have a rehab start this Sunday, opting to do it with High-A West Michigan. If it all goes as planned, Skubal would be reinstated to the majors after that lone start, completing what would be a remarkable turnaround. Skubal became the first pitcher to undergo a new type of surgery, using a device called the “NanoNeedle”, which could turn the regular recovery time from three months to six weeks. With Detroit needing a huge change of course to get back to the playoff race, regardless of that, Skubal’s return and performance will dominate most potential trade talks around the deadline. 

⚾ The Rangers activated two key bats for their lineup, as Corey Seager made his return after a 19-game absence, while Wyatt Langford was back in action after missing 39 games. While Texas did okay to stay in the AL West race despite their absence, Seager and Langford are expected to provide a significant boost for the offense. 

⚾ The Padres made several roster moves, starting with the official release of veteran Nick Castellanos. He had been initially designated for assignment, making his release all but inevitable. San Diego also placed outfielder Ramón Laureano on the 60-day IL following hip surgery and moved reliever Jeremiah Estrada to the 15-day IL with right knee inflammation.

 

Articles You Should Read

 

Boy Searches for Miz Card… and Finds the Miz! — Adam McCalvy, MLB.com

Louis Varland is More Than Just Available — Ben Clemens, Fangraphs

 

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Pablo Figueroa

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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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