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Today’s Headlines
Nearly Perfect
Drew Rasmussen threw the most dominant eight innings baseball has seen in a very long time on Sunday. Facing the Orioles, the righty threw eight perfect innings and did not exceed 12 pitches in any of those frames.
On the first pitch of his ninth inning, Rasmussen allowed a double to Jorge Mateo, ending his bid for perfection. After allowing Mateo to score on a wild pitch, Rasmussen was pulled allowing the bullpen to record the final two outs.
Rasmussen’s final line was one earned run on one hit, seven strikeouts, and no walks. The most recent perfect game remains Félix Hernández’s perfect game on August 15, 2012.
8 perfect innings 👏 👏👏
A well-earned standing ovation for @Drew_Rasmussen_ pic.twitter.com/jMUdYcmGew
— Tampa Bay Rays (@RaysBaseball) August 14, 2022
Age is Just a Number
At the age of 42, Albert Pujols is still showing flashes of his vintage self. On Sunday, that flash was a multi-homer game bringing the future hall of famer within 11 long-balls of 700. Between his two home runs, Pujols knocked in four runs in the contest.
Pujols’ pair of homers along with Miles Mikolas‘ eight innings of two-run ball on Sunday brought the Cardinals to a series win over the Brewers. The first-place Cardinals now hold a 1.5 game lead over Milwaukee in the NL Central.
In his final major league season, Pujols is slashing .249/.325/.459. With his 125 OPS+, the righty is hitting 25% better than the average MLB hitter and has even offered better production than youngster Ronald Acuña Jr.
Albert Pujols with an all time pimp job for 689! #stlcards pic.twitter.com/w4BnGf0K14
— Gateway Grinders (@gatewaygrinders) August 14, 2022
Best Moments From Yesterday
Remembering Uvalde
Almost three-months following the mass-shooting in Uvalde, Texas, the Astros held “Uvalde Strong Day” on Sunday. Alex Bregman was able to heed a young Uvalde girl’s wish and hit a homerun in her town’s honor.
Before the game a young girl from Uvalde asked Alex Bregman (@ABREG_1)to hit a home run & he did,helping the Astros win&win 1 for Uvalde on Uvalde Strong Day at MMP:”It was really cool, anything we can do for them. As soon as I got to the dugout Dusty said hey u hit 1 for Uvalde” pic.twitter.com/5oiduK7Pxn
— Mark Berman (@MarkBerman_) August 14, 2022
Two Goats Walk Into a Dugout…
It is rare enough for a team to have one generational pitcher, but for one team to have the two best pitchers in the game on its roster; that is something else. Max Scherzer and Jacob deGrom were caught having what looked to be a quite passionate conversation during Sunday’s game against the Phillies. One can only imagine what those two pitching geniuses are saying to each other.
This will never not be cool. Just two generational talents sharing a dugout. pic.twitter.com/EV0bTNwVGW
— MLB (@MLB) August 14, 2022
Gleyber Day
In-game interviews have become a bit controversial amongst fans recently, but anyone could lend a chuckle to Gleyber Torres‘ reaction to turning a double-play while being mic’d up. After turning to double play to get out of a third inning jam, Torres joked, “We’ve got a highlight here.”
"We've got a highlight here." 😂 pic.twitter.com/xrjp0aeYad
— MLB (@MLB) August 14, 2022
Carita Clears the Bullpens
Rafael Devers has been struggling lately, particularly with the fastball. With Boston is dire need of some insurance on Sunday evening to help them pull off their first multi-game series win against a division opponent, Devers came through. With a full-count, Jameson Taillon served Devers a 96 MPH fastball up-and-in, and the third baseman served the ball into the bleachers. Devers jogged half-way to first base before flipping the bat.
Devers drills it. pic.twitter.com/4CVcqg5IqC
— MLB (@MLB) August 15, 2022
Injuries
Mike Soroka (Achilles) will begin a rehab on Tuesday.
Kyle Wright (arm) is day to day with right arm fatigue.
Ronald Acuña Jr. (knee) was held out of Sunday’s lineup.
Luis Robert (wrist) will not require a trip to the IL but remains day to day.
Jonathan India (lower leg) remains day to day and will not need a trip to the IL.
Mike Trout (ribs) participated in a full round of batting practice on Sunday.
Corey Knebel (lat) strained his lat on Sunday and will miss time.
Bryce Harper (thumb) will take batting practice on Monday.
Joc Pederson’s (hand) x-rays were negative and he is day to day.
Articles You Should Read
The Trailing Runner: August 7 – August 13 – Ethan McCollister
Revisiting Felix Hernandez’s 9 Perfect Innings 10 Years Later – Corey Brock
Fantasy Baseball Coverage
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)