MLB News & Moments You Should Know – 7/3

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

 

Cardinals go Back-to-Back-to-Back-to-Back

The Cardinals made history yesterday, hitting four home runs in a row versus Kyle Gibson and the Phillies. It’s just the 11th time in MLB history that a team has accomplished the feat (amazingly, four have come in just the last five years). Appropriately, Nolan Arenado got it started. Fresh off a cycle the night before, Arenado deposited a two-out breaking ball just over the left-field wall for a two-run homer.

Nolan Arenado – St. Louis Cardinals (16) pic.twitter.com/8AVS9ol1qH

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) July 2, 2022

Nolan Gorman immediately followed with one of his own:

Nolan Gorman – St. Louis Cardinals (7) pic.twitter.com/dDpKCGu9SE

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) July 2, 2022

Juan Yepez was next, with an eerily similar swing to Arenado…

Juan Yepez – St. Louis Cardinals (10) pic.twitter.com/j6DBtpwFwZ

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) July 2, 2022

…and lastly, Dylan Carlson, with a no-doubter to right.

Dylan Carlson – St. Louis Cardinals (5) pic.twitter.com/urNnhy3Ftp

— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) July 2, 2022

While it’s just the 11th time a team has gone back-to-back x 4, it’s just the first time in MLB history it’s been done in the first inning. Of course, Arenado wasn’t even done. April’s Player of the Month continued his ridiculous stretch with a go-ahead home run in the top of the ninth inning versus Seranthony Domínguez. A cycle and multi-homer game back-to-back? My money’s on Arenado for Player of the Week.

 

Alvarez, Schwarber win June Player of the Month

June’s Player of the Month awards went to two left-handed sluggers, as Astros’ outfielder/designated hitter Yordan Alvarez won the American League prize while the National League’s went to Phillies’ designated hitter Kyle Schwarber.

Alvarez, who seems to have torn the title of baseball’s best hitter away from Juan Soto (at least according to Twitter), leads all MLB with a 1.070 OPS this season, and found another gear in June. He led all hitters in fWAR (2.1) while also leading the league in AVG (.418), OBP (.510), SLG (.835), RBI (28), and wRC+ (277).

The only player with more home runs than Yordan Alvarez since he signed his extension is Mike Trout. pic.twitter.com/QXrlgxvohx

— Jared Carrabis (@Jared_Carrabis) June 29, 2022

Kyle Schwarber and “June Player of the Month” might sound like a familiar combination. Schwarber won the same award last season on the back of the ridiculous stretch in which he hit 16 home runs in 18 games. He hit plenty of long balls this June as well, leading MLB with 12 to go along with a 1.065 OPS and 27 RBIs. Schwarber’s offensive onslaught comes at the right time for Philadelphia, as they look to fill the Bryce Harper-sized hole in their lineup while not losing ground in the race for the NL East.

You knew Kyle Schwarber had to get in one last June homer. 😱 pic.twitter.com/6GHDEmcOdN

— MLB (@MLB) June 30, 2022

 

Riley Greene‘s First Homer Ends Game

MLB’s #2 overall prospect hit the first home run of his career in a dramatic moment yesterday, sending everyone home as the Tigers walked off the Royals 4-3. Greene turned around a 96 MPH fastball from Joel Payamps, hitting a 108 MPH missile to dead center field. Statcast measured the blast at 432 feet.

RILEY GREENE’S FIRST MLB HOMER IS A WALK-OFF FOR THE @TIGERS! pic.twitter.com/V7tkZk6wB1

— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) July 2, 2022

Greene, who made his big-league debut on June 18, has been on a tear to start his career. Through 12 games, he’s hitting .302 with a .434 OBP, adding a stolen base – and now – a home run.

 

Best Moments From Yesterday

 

A Double-Vlad Battery

Fans were treated to a wholesome moment ahead of the Blue Jays-Rays game Saturday afternoon. It was Guerrero Bobble-Head Day at the Rogers Centre, but all of a sudden, the larger and less-bobbling versions were on the field. Guerrero Sr. was on hand (wearing his Expos jersey) to throw out the ceremonial first pitch, and who better to play catcher than his slugging son.

Vlad Sr. throwing out the first pitch to Vlad Jr. on their bobblehead day is everything. ❤️️

(MLB x @SIRIUSXM) pic.twitter.com/frzytO79f7

— MLB (@MLB) July 2, 2022

While Dad’s pitch looked more like something only he could hit, Vlad Jr. hung on to make the scoop. The Blue Jays ended up losing the game, but Guerrero hit a solo shot for his 19th home run of the season.

 

Webb Makes a Fan’s Night

Giants’ pitcher Logan Webb got the start last night versus the White Sox, and pitched well, turning in a quality start as went 6 IP, 3 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, and 5 K. However, his best moment of the night came away from the mound entirely. After getting taken out following the 6th, Webb immediately sent his game-used jersey up to Bryce Bazor, a high school senior from El Dorado Hills, California, which is near Webb’s hometown of Rocklin.

Bazor missed his baseball season while battling chondroblastic osteosarcoma, a rare form of cancer. Webb heard Bazor’s story on the news and met him before the game, introducing him to a number of other Giants as well. Per MLB.com: