On a day full of ~discourse~ about MLB’s “unwritten rules” and Tony LaRussa’s hypocrisy, the actual playing of baseball came as a welcome relief for just about everyone. There were plenty of great moments in Tuesday’s games, so rather than dwell any more on that nonsense, we’ll get right to the fun stuff.
But first, a hat tip to Spencer Turnbull for doing what few thought possible: embarrassing the Mariners with a no-hitter on their home field. Wait, what’s that? It’s already been done this season? Oh well, still impressive.
Here’s the final bow. M’s fans, you might want to skip ahead.
For the 8th time in @tigers franchise history, a NO-HITTER has been thrown. Spencer Turnbull, take a FREAKING bow. #DetroitRoots pic.twitter.com/7u0mClaeTL
— Bally Sports Detroit (@BallySportsDET) May 19, 2021
Now without further ado, the five best moments you missed from Tuesday.
Smiling Through the Pain
Usually, we spend this column highlighting the most fun moments from the games themselves. But here’s one from a player who wasn’t able to participate in those games: Kevin Pillar and his face of steel, fresh off wearing 95-mph heat on the schnoz against the Braves Monday and landing on the IL with multiple fractures, delivering the lineup card for last night’s game:
Kevin Pillar brought out the lineup cards for the Mets tonight. pic.twitter.com/tZ4jmddWne
— Bally Sports South (@BallySportsSO) May 18, 2021
If you missed it, he talked about the situation with the press before the game, defending Braves pitcher Jacob Webb despite his injuries. It was an impressive show of empathy for Pillar, who had every right to be angry given the potential danger of the situation.
“I know how tough that can be on someone who feels responsible for someone getting injured… He needs to continue to be confident and believe in himself.” -Kevin Pillar on Jacob Webb hitting him in the face pic.twitter.com/SgS2fGDdaN
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 18, 2021
He was in good spirits arriving at the ballpark, too, according to teammate Marcus Stroman, who played with Pillar for several years in Toronto as well. He even tried to make his case to play:
My dawg @KPILLAR4 just walked in the clubhouse and goes “Am I in the lineup today or what?” What a WARRIOR! About to get my man the Rip Hamilton face mask for future competition. Lol KP is a LEGEND!
— Marcus Stroman (@STR0) May 18, 2021
A masked vigilante in Gotham? We can get behind that.
Feeling Jazzy
Alright, enough of the sentimental stuff. Let’s get to the bombs. Specifically, the Jazz Chisholm variety, which are consistently among the most delightful bombs you’ll see. Case in point:
NEVER A DOUBT! Jazz Chisholm hits his first homer since returning from the IL! pic.twitter.com/DitI8ErQn9
— Farm To Fame (@FarmToFame_) May 19, 2021
And yes, that was on a 100-mph pitch from Jose Alvarado. No big deal for Jazz, who already accomplished the same feat against Jacob deGrom earlier in the season. According to Sarah Langs, this swing made him the first player to homer twice on triple-digit pitches in the entire pitch-tracking era (since 2008). It’s just not supposed to be that easy.
And if you needed any more reason to love this guy, here he is giving Bryce Harper a finger wag in the same game to let him know he would’ve beat the throw.
This is amazing.
With Jazz Chisholm on 2nd, Miguel Rojas singles to Bryce Harper who comes up throwing.
Jazz was given the stop sign at 3rd and then, if I'm correct, lets Bryce Harper know he wouldn't have gotten him at home. pic.twitter.com/jV8SU5pc5X
— Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) May 19, 2021
Shohei Update: Still Mashing, Still Losing
The latest news on the Angels is as follows: Mike Trout is headed to the IL for 1-2 months with a calf strain (bad); they still have one of the worst records in the American League (bad); today’s starting pitcher, Shohei Ohtani, casually hit a 440-foot moonshot to center for his MLB-leading 14th dinger (good!); they still lost (bad).
Shohei cushions the gap on his MLB home run lead. pic.twitter.com/eZDlhKd7B1
— Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) May 19, 2021
The way the Halos dropped this one was particularly painful, as they came all the way back after surrendering five runs in the first to tie it in the seventh, only to lose 6-5 on a Josh Naylor home run. Cue the Onion tweeting their latest story, ruthless as always:
Shohei Ohtani Regrets Not Researching Which Teams Were Good Before Signing With Angels https://t.co/gzrD1CpJbK pic.twitter.com/yukL03KnY5
— The Onion (@TheOnion) May 18, 2021
Angel fans, I feel for you. That’s why I’m including this Ohtani dinger compilation to cleanse your palate. You can thank me later.
out of the zone, in the zone. don't matter.
you throw it, Shohei Ohtani's crushing it. pic.twitter.com/RB4fvKtvUO
— Cut4 (@Cut4) May 18, 2021
Dead Man on the Gallo
Loyal readers might remember this highlight from yesterday’s post, featuring Joey Gallo doing a faceplant after walking on Monday:
https://gfycat.com/forkedquarrelsomeibizanhound
Well, the Rangers certainly didn’t forget, and they didn’t let Gallo hear the end of it either. When he got to the field yesterday, there was a special surprise waiting for him at first base.
The Mets' dugout reaction to Tommy Hunter's first MLB hit is so pure. And look, there's Kevin Pillar. pic.twitter.com/vDprCkNgix
— Deesha (@DeeshaThosar) May 18, 2021
Tommy Hunter, Hit Gatherer
We started with the Mets, and we will end with the Mets. Meet Tommy Hunter, the Major League Baseballer who quite simply had a great time last night. Pitching in a “bullpen game” for the Mets, the veteran 34-year-old reliever got a rare opportunity to swing the bat — and he absolutely came through.
TOMMY HUNTER WITH HIS FIRST BIG-LEAGUE HIT! pic.twitter.com/llCutZkz4j
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 18, 2021
In celebration, he promptly graced us with this magnificent gif:
Give us all the Tommy Hunter energy right now. pic.twitter.com/4RuXTmMkEr
— SNY (@SNYtv) May 18, 2021
Not only did Hunter record his first hit after 10 MLB seasons, but he also came around to score his first career run on a Jonathan Villar homer. Afterward, he gained some new perspective on running the bases:
“That was the most I’ve run in probably four years. I don’t like running, so it’s a challenge. I’ll tell you what: That’s a long way around the bases.”
But of course, he didn’t stop there. Here’s an extended clip from Hunter’s postgame presser, which may be the best thing you’ll see all week.
I hope that all of us are as happy one day, as Tommy Hunter is tonight. pic.twitter.com/5PGDLh1SQT
— Steve Gelbs (@SteveGelbs) May 19, 2021
And finally, did you catch who was hyping him up more than anyone in the previous clip? Here’s a hint: he has two black eyes and non-functional nostrils.
The Mets' dugout reaction to Tommy Hunter's first MLB hit is so pure. And look, there's Kevin Pillar. pic.twitter.com/vDprCkNgix
— Deesha (@DeeshaThosar) May 18, 2021
The power of baseball, right there. Let’s all be Kevin Pillars and Tommy Hunters today.