MLB News & Moments You Should Know - 9/12

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Today’s Headlines

Suárez Walks it Off to End Nailbiter

To say Sunday’s rubber match between Seattle and Atlanta was gut-wrenching would be an understatement. Marco Gonzales got the start for the Mariners and he cruised through six innings allowing just one run on two hits.

Seattle’s offense contributed to the effort, as well. Rookie phenom, Julio Rodríguez, led off the game with a home run off of Jake Odorizzi. Adam Frazier and Sam Haggerty then knocked Odorizzi out of the game in the bottom of the 4th with an RBI triple and an RBI single, respectively. The Mariners added more insurance to their lead over the next couple of innings with an Eugenio Suárez home run and a J.P. Crawford RBI double.

.@JRODshow44 gets the scoring started in Seattle! pic.twitter.com/4tc3pGsvSN

— MLB (@MLB) September 11, 2022

Ahead 6-1 heading into the eighth, Seattle brought in Erik Swanson to pitch. The righty woke up the monster that is Atlanta’s offense by allowing a solo home run to Michael Harris II. Then, down to their final out in the next inning, Harris homered again, this time bringing Atlanta to within a run.

With Paul Sewald now in the game for the Mariners, Atlanta was still down to their final out with the bases empty. Representing the tying run, Eddie Rosario got on base with a single. Robbie Grossman then took the second consecutive 83 MPH slider he saw from Sewald into the seats giving Atlanta a one-run advantage.

Unfortunately for Atlanta, the same Mariners that earned Seattle the early lead had just a little fight left in the tank. With one out, Rodríguez turned a Kenley Jansen slider around into the seats at 117.2 MPH to tie the game. Then, down to the last out, Suárez took Jansen 397 feet into the seats for a walk-off solo blast.

GENO. BALLGAME. pic.twitter.com/6g7w5kjsg4

— MLB (@MLB) September 11, 2022

Pujols Passes A-Rod

Just a day after tying Alex Rodriguez, Albert Pujols passed the former Yankee slugger’s 696, gaining sole possession of 4th place on the all-time home run leaderboard. This was not just any record-breaking home run, but it also came in the clutch. The Cardinals were having trouble scoring against the Pirates on Sunday due to a strong outing by Mitch Keller and were on the verge of losing the series. Pujols stepped up to the plate with a runner on and with one swing, put St. Louis on top.

The righty’s 697 home runs trail only Barry Bonds, Hank Aaron, and Babe Ruth. With just over 20 games to go, the future hall of famer is well positioned to reach the 700 home run milestone before the end of 2022. With his strong second half, it may be difficult to rule out a return next year for Pujols to make a run at Ruth’s record of 714.

ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE! Albert Pujols puts the Cardinals on top in the ninth with No. 697!!!!!!

TV: Bally Sports Midwest
Stream: https://t.co/IJsMg5oWQe #STLCards pic.twitter.com/DrvPAJ25dE

— Bally Sports Midwest (@BallySportsMW) September 11, 2022

Are the Yankees Back?

The Yankees have struggled mightily in the second half but luckily played close to .700 ball in the first half allowing them to retain control of the AL East. After narrowly avoiding a sweep in Tampa Bay last weekend, New York had a lot to prove in front of their home fans this weekend.

The Yankees lost game one on Friday but then rebounded to score 10 runs and blow out the Rays on Saturday. Sunday’s rubber game would set the tone for the upcoming final weeks of regular-season Yankee baseball: would they be fighting for the division or would they make a final push for home-field advantage?

After a nearly two-hour rain delay, it took a matter of minutes for the Yankees to answer that question. Luis Patiño failed to record a fifth out before allowing nine earned runs, including three home runs. Gleyber Torres, who has had an ice-cold second half was responsible for two of those long balls. Oswaldo Cabrera capped off the day’s scoring with his first career home run making the score 10-1.

Domingo Germán opened the game for New York and the bullpen pitched the final eight frames. The Rays racked up 10 hits and three walks but managed to score just four of those runners.

The series win handed the Yankees a 5.5-game lead on the Rays and positions the Yankees well heading into a two-game set in Boston. Coming off the series loss, the Rays visit the Blue Jays who have won eight of their last 10.

Gleyber's 20th home run of the season puts the Yanks up 3-0 in the 1st! pic.twitter.com/PI3XkZGeg0

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) September 11, 2022

Best Moments From Yesterday

The Yankees Commemorate 9/11

Sunday marked the 21st anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. The Yankees donned hats to honor the emergency workers who responded to the calls for help on that fateful day in 2001.

The Yankees are wearing NYPD hats today on the 21st anniversary of 9/11 pic.twitter.com/Dz4QDkRvxT

— Talkin' Yanks (@TalkinYanks) September 11, 2022

Franmil Reyes X Whitney Houston

The Sunday Night Baseball team took advantage of Franmil Reyes‘ musical talents during Sunday’s broadcast. The designated hitter debuted his very own remix of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.”

Franmill Reyes singing Whitney Houston.

Sound. ON. This is amazing. pic.twitter.com/zsIUvAyUO2

— Nick Pollack (@PitcherList) September 12, 2022

Ohtani Goes Deep

Shohei Ohtani flashed how dominant he is in the batter’s box on Sunday. He took a pitch from Cristian Javier that was barely in the strike zone out of Minute Maid Park.