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MLB News & Moments You Should Know – 5/9

The MLB news you need to know on this Monday morning.

Nicole Cahill
Baseball 5/9/2022

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

 

Today’s Headlines

 

New York Mets tally 20 wins

With Buck Showalter at the helm, the New York Mets are the first team to reach 20 wins in 2022. The win came in the second-half of the team’s doubleheader against the Phillies. Earlier in the series, New York rallied for seven runs in the ninth inning to complete an unbelievable comeback. Around the league, five teams sit at 19 wins: Brewers, Dodgers, Padres, Yankees, Angels.

 

Los Angeles Angels walk it off, staying ahead of the Astros in the AL West

The Angels were down by three in the bottom of the ninth. Red hot Taylor Ward was due up third, with Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani waiting behind him if the Angels could get a few runners on. Luis Rengifo walked then moved up to third base on a single by Ward. Trout struck out, bringing up Ohtani with two outs. He smoked a slider to deep centerfield, plating two runs and putting himself in scoring position to win the game. He did just that, scoring on a single by Anthony Rendon. With the win over the Nationals, the Angels secured their 19th win and remain in first place in the AL West.

 

Jorge Alfaro belts walk-off home run against his former team

Alfaro’s time with the Marlins was largely disappointing. In his three seasons, he slashed a combined .252/.298/.386 with an 84 wRC+. His defense wasn’t always solid either. But when he came to the plate against his former team, the team that traded him for cash this offseason, Alfaro had an extra bit of motivation.

With two on, two out, and down 2-0 in the bottom of the ninth, Alfaro drove the first pitch he saw from Marlins’ relief pitcher Cole Sulser 449 ft. to left-center field. It was Alfaro’s first career walk-off home run, and undoubtedly a bit sweeter because of who it came against.

 

Mariners’ top prospect George Kirby makes his MLB debut

Coming into the 2022 season, right-handed pitcher George Kirby was Baseball America’s No. 12 prospect in all of baseball. The Seattle Mariners called Kirby up to make the start on Mother’s Day after demoting their other top prospect Matt Brash.

Kirby dominated the Rays on Sunday to the tune of six scoreless innings. He allowed just four hits, walked none, and struck out seven. His four-seam fastball touched 98 mph and he induced 15 whiffs, 13 on the fastball and one on each of the slider and changeup. Kirby was just the second Mariners’ pitcher to strikeout seven or more batters while walking none in his big league debut, per Baseball-Reference. Nick Pollack also featured Kirby’s debut performance in today’s SP Roundup.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

Mother’s Day at the Ballpark

Players around baseball celebrated Mother’s Day with stories about their mom’s, impressive performances, and special gear. Cedric Mullins did one better, giving this mom a souvenir and a story she’ll tell for years.

 

Remember Alek Manoah’s mom’s reaction to her son’s first big league strikeout? She got another special moment when Manoah started on Mother’s Day for the Blue Jays’ game against the Guardians. His grandmother was also in attendance.

 

Bryce Harper hit a Mother’s Day home run and shouted out his mom on the way back to the dugout.

 

Cardinals’ rookie Juan Yepez promised his mom he’d do something special for her on Mother’s Day. He lived up to that, hitting his first big league home run.

 

And we can’t mention Mother’s Day without reminding you of all the times Eloy Jiménez has shouted “Hi mom!”

 

LeBron James approved of Ronald Acuña Jr.’s home run celebration

The night after swinging out of his shoes for a home run, Acuña hit another one, this time off reigning NL Cy Young winner Corbin Burnes. He knew the ball — hit 107.2 mph off the bat and 420 ft. to leftfield — was gone the moment it left the bat. Acuña’s celebration was fit for a king, and got the attention of the king himself.

 

Baby Shark hangs up his spikes and swims to the front office

Gerardo Parra has announced he is retiring from baseball, but will join the Washington Nationals‘ front office as a special assistant to the general manager. Parra spent 12 years in the big leagues, including two with the Nationals including on the 2019 World Series winning team. Congrats Baby Shark!

 

Injuries

 

Marcus Stroman hit the injured list without a designation, usually meaning it is COVID-related.

Austin Meadows is day-to-day with a non-COVID related illness.

Byron Buxton remains day-to-day with a hip injury but looks like he will avoid the injured list.

Kris Bryant received a cortisone shot for his back injury and will begin rehabbing later this week.

Carlos Correa is doubtful for the beginning of the Twins/Astros series with a sore finger.

Yoán Moncada, who has not played this season due to an oblique strain, is set to be activated ahead of Monday’s game.

Hyun Jin Ryu, out with a forearm injury, is on track to return for Saturday’s game against the Rays.

 

Articles You Should Read

 

This Week in Baseball History: May 7-13 — Alex Kleinman

Is Pavin Smith Quietly Breaking Out? — Grant Washburn

 

Fantasy Baseball Coverage

 

Starting Pitcher Roundup

Hitter Performances

Reliever Ranks

Starting Pitcher Streamers

 

Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)

Nicole Cahill

Nicole Cahill is a freelance writer who focuses on mental health and sports. She recently founded a nonprofit that helps youth athletes living with mental health challenges. When she's not fighting stigma or exploring Baseball Savant visuals, you can find Nicole enjoying a cup of coffee and a good book. Portfolio: NicoleCahill.com.

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