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Today’s Headlines
Nestor Cortes No-Hit the Rangers Through 7.1 Innings
Nestor Cortes brought his nastiest stuff with him to Yankee Stadium on Monday. The southpaw tossed 7.1 innings of no-hit ball against Texas, striking out 11 batters, and lowering his ERA to 1.41. Andrew McCutchen took to Twitter to offer some insight as to how Cortes has turned his career completely around:
Nestor Cortes’ fastball plays up. Meaning his 91-94 actually feels like 97. Mix that with him messing with a hitters timing, throwing from diff arm angles, and locating well, he can be very difficult to hit. He showed that today
— Andrew McCutchen (@TheCUTCH22) May 9, 2022
This impressive outing came just a day after Rangers’ manager Chris Woodward referred to Yankee Stadium as a “little league park.” Ironically, neither team managed to plate a run until Giancarlo Stanton swatted a solo shot in the bottom of the eighth inning. This 1-0 victory handed the Yankees their 20th win of the season.
A Wild One on the Southside
The Cleveland Guardians made baseball and franchise history on Monday night. The night began in the top of the first when Gavin Sheets committed a tough error in right field to allow the Guardians to get on the board first. Sheets then put the White Sox on top with a three-run home run in the bottom of the frame. Chicago got some insurance in the seventh and eighth innings and was up 8-2 going into the ninth inning.
Even the announcers couldn't believe this Gavin Sheets error 😂
🎥 @CleGuardianspic.twitter.com/4BAWCE7881
— The Athletic MLB (@TheAthleticMLB) May 10, 2022
Tanner Banks then entered in the top of the ninth to finish the game for the White Sox. Before getting a pair of outs, he allowed a solo home run and another run to score on an error by Yoán Moncada. With the lead cut to four, Kyle Hendricks entered to finish Cleveland off. With runners already on first and second, Hendricks loaded the bases on a single by Owen Miller. First baseman Josh Naylor then stepped into the batter’s box. He took the first pitch he saw 421 feet to deep to right-center and tied up the game.
The Guardians score SIX RUNS to tie it in the 9th with a Josh Naylor grand slam! pic.twitter.com/gjObbhXtg8
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) May 10, 2022
Both halves of the 10th inning were met with each team’s ghost runner scoring, but that was all. In the top of the 11th, Naylor stepped to the plate again; this time with two outs and two runners on base. Naylor stunned everyone and hit another home run leading the Guardians to a 12-9 win.
Naylor was the first player ever to hit two three-or-more-run home runs in the ninth inning or later in a single game. He was also the first player in 40 years to produce eight RBIs from the eighth inning or later in a single game. Furthermore, he was just the sixth player in the last 20 years to connect for a game-tying grand slam with two outs in the ninth inning or later.
Josh Naylor has that dawg in him. 😤
(via @Fanatlc1) pic.twitter.com/iUXupnhZZw
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) May 10, 2022
Shohei Ohtani’s First Career Grand Slam
A slew of home runs powered Noah Syndergaard to his third win of the season and the Angels to their 20th. The first one was a three-run bomb by Jared Walsh that put the Angels on top in the bottom of the fourth. A couple of frames later, Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani went back-t0-back to bring the Angels ahead by five runs.
— Follow @RocksInTheOF (@RITOFVids) May 10, 2022
In the following inning, the Angels loaded the bases and Ohtani was at the plate again. The reigning MVP proceeded to connect for the first grand slam of his Major League career. Due to injuries, it has been a while since baseball fans have been privileged to witness the Troutani duo, but they seem to be back and better than ever.
— Follow @BarnHasSpoken2 (@Baseball8754021) May 10, 2022
More MLB Games to be Played in London
On Monday, MLB announced that there would once again be baseball played in London. There will be games played in the upcoming two seasons, as well as in 2026. This comes as MLB is aggressively trying to grow baseball on an international scale with initiatives like the Home Run Derby X.
The last time MLB games were played in London was in 2019 when the Red Sox faced the Yankees in a two-game set. The series attracted a bevy of attention with its multitude of home runs.
The city of London & @MLB have formed a long-term strategic partnership that includes MLB playing regular season games in London in ’23, ’24 & ’26. MLB Europe will also conduct fan events, expanded UK-focused content, baseball participation programs, and more. pic.twitter.com/vcMuTBWp8P
— MLB Communications (@MLB_PR) May 9, 2022
Best Moments From Yesterday
Manny Machado Rocking the Tony Gwynn Jersey
Monday was Tony Gwynn’s birthday, and in honor of that, Manny Machado decided to wear a throwback Gwynn jersey throughout batting practice. Machado undoubtedly would like to channel the memory of the greatest Padre ever into his 2022 campaign for which he is already on pace to reach well over 200 hits.
Manny wearing Mr. Padre's jersey on his birthday. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/6LNV98Cfu7
— MLB (@MLB) May 10, 2022
Angels’ Scoreboard Manager Having Some Fun
Ballpark workers, at times, enjoy poking fun at visiting players in subtle ways. Some might say it was not so subtle when the Angels’ scoreboard team decide to out Ji-Man Choi as being “terrified of ghosts.”
An interesting fact about former #Angels 1B Ji-Man Choi … pic.twitter.com/hmRRUuE3mm
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) May 10, 2022
Country Shohei
Aside from his monster night at the plate, Ohtani’s trip through the dugout in the Angels’ customary cowboy hat went viral on Monday.
At this rate, we’re gonna need more stickers 👀 pic.twitter.com/j7sUu7ApLO
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) May 10, 2022
Injuries
Casey Mize (elbow) is reportedly ready to make his first rehab start.
Brandon Belt was scratched from Monday’s lineup with a stiff neck.
Both Joe Kelly and Yoan Moncada were activated off of the IL on Monday.
Articles You Should Read
The Mariners’ Offense is Good Now? – Sean Roberts
The White Sox are Best Suited to Overcome Sluggish April – Randy Holt
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)