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
Spencer Strider delivers a gem
Last year’s NL Rookie of the Year runner-up had a perfect game cooking until the seventh when Jazz Chisholm Jr. led off with a ground ball that went right through Matt Olson’s legs for an error. He lost the no-hit bid an inning later. He ended the night with 13 strikeouts and set the franchise record with nine straight starts with nine or more strikeouts.
Spencer Strider’s 11th K.
Thru 7…and ? pic.twitter.com/1CiCLqQsRh
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) April 25, 2023
This is how Spencer Strider lost his no-hit bid in the 8th inning.@Braves fans give the star right-hander a standing ovation for the effort ? pic.twitter.com/aIz0G7fCOz
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) April 25, 2023
Andrew Abbott promoted to Triple-A
Drafted by the Reds as a senior out of the University of Virginia two years ago, Abbott, a left-hander, has done nothing but dominate in the minors. That’s an understatement. Granted it’s only three starts, but his numbers so far are well worth getting excited about. Last year, he walked batters at a 10.6% clip across 20 starts for Double-A Chattanooga. This year, he’s cut that in half and has a 22.4% Swinging Strike rate.
The #Reds today promoted LHP Andrew Abbott from Double-A Chattanooga to Triple-A Louisville.
In three starts this season, @andrewabbott33 has a 1.15 ERA in 15.2 IP with 36 K, 0.57 WHIP, .113 average against and 20.68 K/9. pic.twitter.com/GNjHZI1XCb
— Reds On The Rise (@RedsOnTheRise) April 24, 2023
Alex Cobb goes the distance
Oracle Park hosted a pitcher’s duel last night between Jordan Montgomery and Alex Cobb with the latter emerging victorious. The former Tampa Bay Ray finished the game with a punch out of Tyler O’Neill. He joined Sandy Alcantara and Gerrit Cole as the other two pitchers with complete game shutouts so far this season and he became the first Giant to throw a shutout since Madison Bumgarner. The 35-year-old veteran last pitched a complete game shutout over a decade ago.
ALEX COBB
2nd career shutout!
the other: August 23, 2012, for Rays vs A’s
starting lineups ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/KWt5FkcPLl
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 25, 2023
Alex Cobb completes his first shutout in 10 years and 244 days. That’s the 3rd-longest span since 1900 between a pitcher’s first and second career shutouts.
h/t @EliasSports pic.twitter.com/dKDyHAhT5K
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) April 25, 2023
The Rays set another record
Rookie Taj Bradley impressed yet again as he threw five innings and struck out six en route to his third win. Meanwhile, the Rays improved to 14-0 this year at the Trop. In case you were wondering, yes, it turns out that’s a pretty unique accomplishment.
The Rays become the first team to start 14-0 at home in the live ball era. pic.twitter.com/gjaU8pOHnD
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) April 25, 2023
Jackson Holliday is moving up
After dominating in 13 games in low-A Delmarva, last year’s first-overall pick was promoted by the Orioles to High-A Aberdeen.
The Orioles are promoting Jackson Holliday, the No. 1 pick in the 2022 draft, to High-A after he destroyed Low-A in 13 games: .392/.523/.667 with nine extra-base hits in 51 at-bats and a 14-to-12 walk-to-strikeout ratio. Only one error in 117 innings at 2B and SS. Absolute star.
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 24, 2023
Best Moments from Yesterday
He had everyone in awe last night, including a very important guest in the stands.
Spencer Strider’s grandmother is celebrating her 90th birthday by watching her grandson make franchise history ? pic.twitter.com/eNmkQieBBO
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) April 25, 2023
Wander Franco does it all
The 21-year-old superstar was 4-for-5 and sure, why not, he made this grab on a pop-up down the left field line off the bat of Martín Maldonado in last night’s 8-3 win over the Tigers.
You cannot be serious, Wander Franco. pic.twitter.com/CXVUcTFTW1
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) April 25, 2023
A moment for the A’s
It’s already been a long season for the A’s. But they had a really neat moment last night when Brent Rooker and Jesús Aguilar went back-to-back not once, but twice as they outlasted the Angels in an 11-10 slugfest. And the home runs all came in the first three innings. Hopefully, you didn’t start José Suarez in your fantasy leagues.
Brent Rooker – Oakland Athletics (6)
pic.twitter.com/W1XZdeCpmv— MLB HR Videos (@MLBHRVideos) April 25, 2023
repeat.
this is the 1st time in A’s franchise history they’ve had the same players go back-to-back HR TWICE in a game
5th time overall they’ve hit b2b twice in a game at all
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 25, 2023
A not-so-great moment for the Angels
On the other side, Angels fans bemoaned a questionable decision from infielder Luis Rengifo. With the home team down a run in the tenth, he lifted a leadoff single to left…and then made the turn and rounded for second. It did not pay off.
Uhhhhh this was definitely a decision pic.twitter.com/bF4Nxr7BsR
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 25, 2023
Injuries and Transactions
Chris Bassitt left last night’s game against the White Sox in the seventh with a back injury. After the game, he said he, “won’t even miss a bullpen.”
Yordan Alvarez experienced neck discomfort. Astros manager Dusty Baker said that he was sent back to Houston for further tests and had dealt with it for a week.
Joey Bart left last night’s game against the Cardinals early with groin tightness. He missed time earlier with a similar injury.
The Blue Jays called up Nate Pearson to replace the injured Adam Cimber in the bullpen.
Articles You Should Read
Kawakami: The A’s, the $500 million Las Vegas ask and John Fisher’s long losing streak. – Tim Kawakami, The Athletic.
The Pitcher who became a legendary Hollywood stuntman. – Matt Monagan, MLB.com
You’ll Get Your Chance, Rook! – Andrew Abramo, Pitcher List
Fantasy Baseball
Expected SP Schedules: Who Has the Best Matchups in Weeks 4-5
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)