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
The Rays Win Again.
It finally happened. No, the Rays didn’t lose, but the Red Sox made them sweat. So much so that, Pete Fairbanks saw his first save opportunity. Brandon Lowe’s eighth-inning home run off Chris Martin gave the home team a 1-0 lead. Then the Rays turned to Fairbanks, who ended the game with a 1-2-3 ninth. He hasn’t allowed a run in his last 25 appearances. The Rays are the first 10-0 team since 1987.
most HR in team’s 1st 10 games of season:
2000 Cardinals: 28
2023 Rays: 25
2006 Tigers: 25
2019 Dodgers: 24
2019 Mariners: 24— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 11, 2023
Andrew Heaney Dominates.
After a dud debut against the Orioles during which he surrendered seven earned runs on seven hits while failing to complete the third, Andrew Heaney did a complete 180. Heaney was an intriguing arm heading into the year as he posted a sensational 29.4% K-BB% across 72.2 IP (14 starts, 16 appearances) in 2022 with the Dodgers. Durability and home runs have held him back but maybe this is the year he puts it all together.
Andrew Heaney ties the American League record with 9 consecutive strikeouts! pic.twitter.com/empFhuVax5
— MLB (@MLB) April 11, 2023
Andrew Heaney struck out 9 consecutive batters against the Royals tonight. He ties Doug Fister and Tyler Alexander for the most consecutive strikeouts in AL history.
He is also the first Ranger ever to have his first 9 outs of a game be strikeouts. pic.twitter.com/ct4muhvbp1
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 11, 2023
Max Muncy comes alive.
Muncy entered last night’s game against the Giants hitting .121 with one home run. In the third, he tagged a slider from Logan Webb to center for a three-run shot. And then in the seventh, he swatted a grand slam to complete a career-best seven RBI.
Max Muncy marked this series on his calendar.
This grand slam gives him 2 homers and 7 RBI tonight! pic.twitter.com/S9wUC1Qla1
— MLB (@MLB) April 11, 2023
Sean Murphy walks it off.
Murphy had gotten off to a slow start with his new team but came through in a big way last night. In the sixth, he knocked in the first run of the game with a double off Graham Ashcraft. Atlanta had their one-run lead erased in the ninth when A.J. Minter blew the save on a pop fly from Spencer Steer that Ronald Acuña Jr. couldn’t grab. After a scoreless bottom of the ninth, the Reds took the lead in the tenth on an RBI single from Jonathan India. After losing three of four to the Padres, dropping the series opener to the Reds would’ve been a tough pill to swallow for Atlanta fans. Thankfully, the Good Doctor was there to save the day.
Welcome to Atlanta, Sean Murphy!#ForTheA pic.twitter.com/RKALf99VQK
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) April 11, 2023
Best Moments from Yesterday
Seeing eye singles at Citi Field.
With the Mets ahead of the Padres 2-0 and a runner on second, Luis Guillorme executed a perfect bunt down the third base line. Manny Machado and the home plate umpire Lance Barksdale followed the magic ball as it traced the chalk before coming to a halt just inside the line a few feet in front of third. After a sac fly from Eduardo Escobar, Tomás Nido came to the plate. The Met catcher then hit an infield single inside the third base line, maybe only a few feet from where Guillorme’s bunt came to rest. Regardless of the exact spot, the resemblance was uncanny.
You have to see this to believe it.
The @Mets roll two infield singles just inside the foul line to the same exact spot. ? pic.twitter.com/bEkzP4DYTp
— MLB (@MLB) April 11, 2023
Yu Darvish on the Mets’ seventh-inning infield hits that somehow stayed fair: “You’ll probably see that once a season, but you get to see it two times in one inning. I don’t know if that’s unlucky or if I’m lucky to be able to see that.”
— Dennis Lin (@dennistlin) April 11, 2023
Nasty Nate
As mentioned, Heaney put on a clinic as the Rangers rolled to an easy win. In the eighth, the Royals turned to outfielder Nate Eaton for some relief work. And he did not disappoint. He topped out at 94.9 and featured some remarkable late life, including this swing and a miss from Ezequiel Duran.
This movement from Nate Eaton is insane.
…and he’s a position player?!pic.twitter.com/0EhloaUUMJ
— Nick Pollack (@PitcherList) April 11, 2023
Injuries and Transactions
Adam Duvall is not expected to require surgery for his broken wrist.
Atlanta is expected to activate Kyle Wright today. He’ll make his season debut against the Reds.
The Giants activated Joey Bart from the IL and DFA’d Austin Wynns.
Articles You Should Read
(Un)Fairbanks: A Look into Pete Fairbanks and his Historic Fastball – Michael Barker, Pitcher List
One Week In, How are the New Rules Going? – Sean Roberts, Pitcher List
Ohtani (who else?) has mastered the hottest new pitch – David Adler, MLB.com
Fantasy Baseball
The Stash List Week 2: Top 10 Hitter Prospects to Stash in 2023
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)