MLB News & Moments You Should Know - 6/20

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

Drama in Toronto

The New York Yankees spent much of the weekend beating up on the Toronto Blue Jays. It seemed that trend would continue with Luis Severino starting on Sunday. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., however, had other plans as he quickly blasted a two-run shot in the bottom of the first inning.

As they almost always do, the Yankees soon responded. They scored six runs on a pair of home runs and a pair of doubles and knocked Yusei Kikuchi out of the game after four innings.

By the sixth inning, it was 8-3 Yankees, and with New York’s stellar bullpen, Toronto could have called it quits from there. Nevertheless, Severino and Miguel Castro loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth and the latter gave up a grand slam to Lourdes Gurriel Jr. on a 99 MPH sinker. It was a whole new ballgame and the Blue Jays finally had a chance to salvage the series.

A GRAND time for some #PiñaPower 🍍 @yunitogurriel pic.twitter.com/KqyflOjO2p

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 19, 2022

With a couple of guys on base in the bottom of the seventh, Teoscar Hernández got hold of a changeup from Wandy Peralta to go ahead 10-8 over New York. Despite a solo home run from Anthony Rizzo in the eighth, the Yankees were unable to come back as they fell to an impressive 49-17.

Things you LOVE Teo see:

THIS! pic.twitter.com/CcMZtfvO4p

— Toronto Blue Jays (@BlueJays) June 19, 2022

Alcantara Punches Out Eight Over Eight Solid Frames

The Marlins were also able to salvage their series against New York on Sunday. The Mets blew out Miami on Friday and narrowly pulled out a win on Saturday, but Sandy Alcantara had other plans for Sunday. Facing the sixth-best hitting team (by OPS) in the New York Mets, Miami’s ace held them to a pair of runs on six hits through eight frames.

Sandy Alcantara has thrown 63 2/3 IP in his last 8 starts

The last pitcher to throw 63+ IP in an 8-outing span was Chris Sale in 2016. Clayton Kershaw also did it earlier in the season in '16

— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) June 19, 2022

Everything was working for Alcantara. His fastball and sinker were in the upper 90s and he induced nine whiffs on his changeup. The righty struck out eight batters and only walked one.

With Jazz Chisholm Jr. scuffling as of late, runs have come at a premium for the Marlins and they failed to plate any on Sunday through the first six frames. With the bases loaded in the seventh inning, rookie Jerar Encarnación stepped to the plate and cleared the right field wall in Citi Field breaking the game wide open. The Marlins extended and protected their lead to beat the Mets 6-2.

In his first career game, Jerar Encarnación's first career hit is a go-ahead slam! 😱 pic.twitter.com/lRDqtrSgLE

— MLB (@MLB) June 19, 2022

Machado Sprains Ankle as Rockies Complete Sweep

The fact that the last place Rockies can carry out a clean sweep of the nearly first place Padres in Coors Field pretty much sums up the home-away disceprency with Colorado’s offense this season. The Rockies have the best home OPS in Major League Baseball this season but are 28th in the Majors in away OPS.

Blake Snell continued to be inconsistent on Sunday. He allowed four runs on five hits and four walks through 4.2 innings. Much of the damage came in the fifth inning when both Brendan Rodgers and C.J. Cron hit RBI singles, and Randal Grichuk followed them up with a three-run shot.

San Diego’s offense simply could not keep up with the Coors Field Rockies. Antonio Senzatela allowed just one run on a pair of walks and six hits, including a solo shot by Luke Voit. The Rockies won 8-3.

The big scare came in the first inning when Manny Machado exited the game after slipping on the first base bag trying to stretch out an infield single. There was some speculation that it was a serious injury like a torn achilles, but the speculation was soon quelled when the Padres announced the x-rays were all negative. They officially dubbed it as an ankle sprain.

It seems that C.J. Abrams will be recalled from the minors to fill the void left by Machado for the time being.

Here is the video of Padres Superstar Manny Machado suffering a gruesome ankle injury. #Padres pic.twitter.com/IoeooH5nat

— Borna Nazari (@thehogwatch) June 19, 2022

Oneil Cruz Called Up

With the pitcher limit tightening to 13 on Monday, the Pirates will be calling up Oneil Cruz. The infielder had a slow start in the minors this season batting under .200, but has significantly picked it up recently. Cruz is MLB.com’s #3 prospect in the Pirates’ system. He hit 17 home runs and posted a .970 OPS in the minors in 2021.

Shortstop Oneil Cruz is being called up by the Pittsburgh Pirates, according to a source familiar with the situation.

— Robert Murray (@ByRobertMurray) June 19, 2022

Best Moments From Yesterday

Father’s Day Grand Salamis

A couple of grand slams were hit on father’s day: both by players making their Major League debuts. The first of the two came off the bat of Buddy Kennedy of the Arizona Diamondbacks.

BUDDY KENNEDY WITH A FATHER'S DAY GRAND SLAM! pic.twitter.com/RuV7u3rARK

— Bally Sports Arizona (@BALLYSPORTSAZ) June 19, 2022

The next came courtesy of Jerar Encarnación of the Miami Marlins. The video of the home run can be viewed earlier in this article, but even better than the actual home run was his emotional emrace with his family following the game.

no words needed. pic.twitter.com/hBKKzFr2lq

— Miami Marlins (@Marlins) June 19, 2022

Father’s Day Cleats

Steve Cishek decided to go all-out for father’s day and had the classic dad shoes turned into “dad cleats.”

Nationals reliever Steve Cishek brings out the ultimate dad cleats for Father's Day 😂 pic.twitter.com/8Y5ndDpevN

— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) June 19, 2022

A Gutsy Catch in Omaha

In Sunday’s Oklahoma vs. Notre Dame matchup of the Men’s College World Series, Oklahoma’s first baseman, Blake Robertson, toppled over into Notre Dame’s dugout to make an outstanding catch.