Weather continues to wreak havoc with MLB’s schedule, forcing three postponements from Monday’s slate of 11 scheduled games. Here’s the download on the teams that escaped the rain.
The Red Sox Fall on Marathon Monday
Monday’s game between the Red Sox and Twins marked the return of an annual tradition in Boston.
Each April, Patriots’ Day — a Massachusetts holiday — is celebrated with the running of the Boston Marathon and an accompanying Red Sox game. This year is the first time since 2019 that both events occurred simultaneously because of scheduling changes caused by the pandemic in 2020 and 2021.
Dylan Bundy spoiled the day for Sox fans with some help from Jorge Polanco and the rest of the Twins offense. Bundy held Boston to five hits and one ER over 5.1 innings, while Polanco contributed four RBIs that included a two-run shot over the Green Monster and a single in the eighth.
Hip, hip, Jorge!
Hip, hip, Jorge! #TwinsWin | #MNTwins pic.twitter.com/Kpw52j7G6q— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) April 18, 2022
The win allowed Minnesota to escape Boston with an even split in the series, two games apiece. They go on to face the Royals in Kansas City today, while the Red Sox are set to host Toronto.
Yelich Hits Slam for Brewers
On a 1-0 count in the bottom of the fourth, Christian Yelich got a changeup from Pittsburgh’s Zach Thompson and absolutely crushed it:
First SLAM of the year belongs to @ChristianYelich! #ThisIsMyCrew pic.twitter.com/kc3KDaAndQ
— Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) April 19, 2022
The dinger was Yelich’s first of the year, and was a welcome sign for a Brewers team that is struggling to score so far in 2022. However, despite finishing with a comfortable 6-1 win, Milwaukee failed to score any more runs in the contest after this shot.
Jansen Returns to LA and Freeman Hits First HR for Dodgers
The night started with a healthy dose of nostalgia as the Dodgers opened a three-game homestand against Atlanta. On his first return to Dodgers Stadium since signing with Atlanta in the offseason, the Dodgers honored their long-time closer Kenley Jansen with a plaque commemorating his first career save against the Mets in 2010.
The reunion was also an emotional one for Dodgers first-baseman Freddie Freeman, the long-time face of Atlanta’s franchise before his move to Los Angeles in March. The teams took the opportunity to present Freeman with his Silver Slugger Award from 2021:
Prior to tonight’s game, @FreddieFreeman5 received his Silver Slugger Award for the 2021 season. Congratulations, Freddie! pic.twitter.com/niS4Fym0nU
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 19, 2022
And right on cue, Freeman launched his first home run for the Dodgers with a solo shot off Huascar Ynoa in the bottom of the first.
FIRST HOMER AS A DODGER? FREDDIE, SET, GO. pic.twitter.com/w0cEUXCtiG
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 19, 2022
Freeman finished the night with two walks and another run scored to go along with his home run. The Dodgers never trailed, so Jansen was not used out of the bullpen.
A’s Place Six on COVID-19 IL, Call Up Allen
The A’s announced that catcher Austin Allen, infielders Jed Lowrie and Chad Pinder, and pitchers A.J. Puk, Lou Trivino, and Kirby Snead have all been placed on the COVID-19 injured list prior to their home-opener against Baltimore on Monday.
Six Oakland Athletics players have been added to the COVID-19 injured list, including infielder Jed Lowrie and relievers A.J. Puk and Lou Trivino.https://t.co/WIYiEV9Bij
— AP Sports (@AP_Sports) April 19, 2022
These players may be unavailable for up to 10 days to accommodate the league’s health-and-safety protocols, but may be back sooner depending on whether they continue to test positive for the virus.
To address the holes left by this move, Oakland called up a trio of minor leaguers: reliever Sam Selman, infielder Christian Lopes, and one of the top prospects in the A’s system, infielder Nick Allen.
Allen is known as a defense-first shortstop but is hitting a respectable .319/.396/.404 with a home run in 47 ABs with AAA Las Vegas so far in 2022. None of the callups made an appearance in the A’s 5-1 victory over the Orioles, but the stint with the team will provide Allen and Lopes opportunities to make their MLB debuts. Selman has been to the show before with the Giants and Angels.
Suzuki is Named NL Player of the Week, Ramirez Wins AL Honors
Chicago’s hefty investment in Seiya Suzuki seems to be paying off. With a hit in Monday’s game against the Rays, Suzuki’s MLB career has started with a 9-game hit streak and 10-game on-base streak:
Seiya Suzuki with another hit. That's a 9 game hit streak and 10 game on-base streak to start his career.
— Jesse Rogers (@JesseRogersESPN) April 19, 2022
In his first full week in the MLB, Suzuki slashed .412/.546/1.059 with three home runs and five RBI. That otherworldly start to his career was awarded on Monday with the NL Player of the Week award.
Congratulations to @suzuki_seiya_sb, the NL Player of the Week! pic.twitter.com/DEyG2sb4JO
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) April 18, 2022
Suzuki’s AL counterpart for the week was Jose Ramirez, who, after signing a long-term contract with Cleveland, turned around and posted .478/.519/.913 with two home runs and 11 RBI.
What a week for Hosey.
Signed a long-term extension to stay home AND has been named the American League Player of the Week! 🐐#ForTheLand pic.twitter.com/WlVDP4b19U
— Cleveland Guardians (@CleGuardians) April 18, 2022
Featured image by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns on Twitter)
This is a helpful column! One thing: I think it was Bailey Ober and not Cease who beat the Red Sox.
Thank you for catching that error, it has been corrected! It was Dylan Bundy on Monday, Dylan Cease plays for the White Sox, of course… Bailey Ober went on Sunday (and had a good outing as well, but didn’t get much run support).
Glad you are enjoying the column!