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Today’s Headlines
Aaron Judge blasts two homers to help Yankees defeat Rays.
Captain Crush. #AllRise pic.twitter.com/1ZVGhyMjlg
— New York Yankees (@Yankees) May 13, 2023
With their ace Shane McClanahan on the mound, the Rays went into Saturday’s game feeling confident. McClanahan came into the day with a 1.76 ERA, 31.4% strikeout rate, 35.2% CSW%, and seven wins in his first eight starts.
McClanahan kept the Yankees off the board through the first four innings, and the Rays extended their lead to six runs in the top half of the fifth. But things went awry for McClanahan in the bottom half of the inning. He gave up a leadoff walk then a homer to Kyle Higashioka, then another walk and a homer to noted slugger Aaron Judge. Anthony Rizzo then doubled before Rays’ manager Kevin Cash had seen enough. McClanahan, allowing four runs, failed to record an out in the fifth inning in his worst start of the year.
The Yankees, however, were still down two runs when the fifth inning came to a close. The deficit wouldn’t last long, though. Judge came to bat in the sixth with one on and the Yanks down a run, and you can probably guess where this is going. He demolished his second home run of the day, this one leaving the yard at 113.5 mph and landing 439 ft from home plate. The Yankees would go on to win 9-8, handing the Rays their first loss in a game that McClanahan started.
Zack Greinke becomes the fifth pitcher is MLB history to strike out 1,000 different batters.
1K for Zack!
Zack Greinke is the 5th pitcher in MLB history to strike out 1,000 different batters. pic.twitter.com/3a7rwuy7gt
— Kansas City Royals (@Royals) May 14, 2023
Zack Greinke is as cool as they come. He added another milestone to his Hall of Fame resume on Saturday, becoming only the fifth pitcher in Major League Baseball history to strike out 1,000 different batters. Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Greg Maddux, Roger Clemens, and now Zack Greinke, are the only pitchers to accomplish this feat!
Mariners’ rookie righthander Bryce Miller tosses another fantastic start.
Bryce Miller's career is off to a hot start. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eSxhQ4EWuJ
— MLB (@MLB) May 13, 2023
Bryce Miller faced the Detroit Tigers in his third career start this Saturday. He held the opposition scoreless through seven innings, allowing just three hits, no walks, and striking out three. Like we’ve seen in his previous two outings, Miller continued to use a heavy dose of fastballs (40 of his 82 total pitchers). He incorporated the slider, curveball, and changeup more on Saturday which helped him secure another strong outing.
Miller’s start to the season (and his career) has been pretty impressive. According to Sarah Langs, Miller is the third pitcher since at least 1901 to go six or more innings and allow three or fewer hits in each of his first three career appearances. In 19 innings, he’s allowed one run, one walk, and struck out 18 batters.
Best Moments From Yesterday
Nippon-Ham Fighters debuted a uniform designed by their manager.
The Nippon-Ham Fighters debuted the uniforms that manager Tsuyoshi Shinjo created. pic.twitter.com/jcDlDwJp4w
— Mike Mayer (@mikemayer22) May 13, 2023
You may remember seeing a coach enter on a hovercraft. That was Tsuyoshi Shinjo, manager of the Nippon-Ham Fighters. He was part of another incredibly awesome moment on Saturday. Shinjo designed an alternate uniform for the Fighters and the team wore those manager-inspired uniforms in their game. I may not get some of the design choices (a collar???) but this is a flex if I’ve ever seen one. Hats off to the Big Boss.
Red Sox prospect Ceddanne Rafaela steals seven stolen bases in one game!
Ceddanne Rafaela stole SEVEN bases today for AA Portland. pic.twitter.com/lKBvv4sG3C
— Thomas Carrieri (@Thomas_Carrieri) May 13, 2023
Ceddanne Rafaela, currently playing with the Double-A Portland Sea Dogs, is the #2 prospect in the Boston Red Sox organization. The 22-year-old outfielder reached base four times on Saturday. He stole second base all four times and stole third base three times, racking up seven stolen bags on Saturday afternoon.
Eugenio Suárez adds another play to his soccer highlight reel.
Eugenio Suárez is always showing off his footwork. 😂 ️⚽️ pic.twitter.com/TPKA6lcu22
— Cut4 (@Cut4) May 13, 2023
We’ve seen this before! Eugenio Suárez never misses a moment to practice his footwork, including in the batter’s box on Saturday.
Injuries & Transactions
C J.T. Realmuto remains day-t0-day with a sprained right pinky finger.
3B Anthony Rendon left Saturday’s game with left groin tightness.
OF Jazz Chisholm Jr. left Saturday’s game after colliding with the wall in center field. X-rays were negative and the team is calling it a right foot contusion. He’s considered day-to-day.
OF Max Kepler was placed on the injured list with a hamstring strain.
SP Anthony DeSclafani exited yesterday’s game early due to toe discomfort. Manager Gabe Kapler said DeSclafani dropped a piano bench on his toe a few weeks ago and re-aggravated the injury on Saturday.
Articles You Should Read
Can’t Fight this Stealing: Making Sense of the Stolen Base Craze — Jack Connors, Pitcher List
Miriam Sánchez, the Dominican ‘ballplaying grandma,’ is still raking at 64 — Nathalie Alonso, MLB.com
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)