With Jackie Robinson Day in the rearview mirror, we’re almost ten games into the season. Can you believe it? All thirty teams were in action this past Saturday, and there was plenty to go around, including antics on the basepaths, an umpire showdown, and a slick bat flip too.
You First. No, You First!
In his second at-bat, Blue Jays’ leadoff man Raimel Tapia bounced a ground ball near the first baseline. Oakland’s starter Paul Blackburn was quick off the mound and got to it, but the ensuing confrontation was beautifully awkward as the two stared each other down for a moment before Blackburn quietly turned and flipped the ball to first baseman Christian Bethancourt to record the out.
this basepath aint big enough for the two of us pic.twitter.com/TLNvfSPJUv
— Cut4 (@Cut4) April 16, 2022
Catch Me If You Can
In his first at-bat of the Rays/White Sox game, Randy Arozarena tapped a groundball to third baseman Josh Harrison, who then threw the ball wide of José Abreu at first. Arozarena rounded first to take the extra bag on the wild throw but was seemingly dead to rights on the relay throw to shortstop Tim Anderson. Thankfully for the Rays, Arozarena appeared to trip on his own two feet in the ensuing run down, which allowed him to slip past Anderson and onto second safely. A pretty slick move that looked like a juke straight out of a game of Madden.
Randy Arozarena’s elusiveness rating: ? pic.twitter.com/vvbAb1ifZ1
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) April 16, 2022
A Picture Perfect Rundown
More base running shenanigans. Nick Castellanos was caught in a rundown between first and second thanks to a strong throw from Marlins catcher Jacob Stallings. Castellanos, who is, as you know, not the most athletic runner, instead relied on Jon Berti to do the heavy lifting for him as he plowed right through first baseman Garrett Cooper in a scene straight out of an Abbott and Costello routine. Castellanos was safe at first, and during the mayhem, Bryce Harper scored the second run of the game in what ended up being a rout in favor of the Phillies. Amusement aside, hopefully, Cooper is alright as he ended up on his back and landed on the same elbow that he had TJ surgery on this past offseason.
Just how the Phils drew it up ?? pic.twitter.com/pzsfX41mSO
— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) April 16, 2022
Not on My Watch!
In fairness to Bill Miller, someone has to enforce the rules of the game. Still, it can be amusing when umpires feel obliged to put on a blatant show of bravado. Summoned to close out yesterday’s game in San Diego, Kenley Jansen took a little too long to deliver his warm-up pitches, and Miller, channeling his inner Joe West, took umbrage and vehemently denied the former Dodger from tossing another pitch between innings. Thank goodness! A brief confrontation ensued, but cooler heads prevailed, and Jansen sealed the win in an uneventful bottom of the ninth.
Home plate umpire Bill Miller refuses to let Kenley Jansen throw any additional warmup pitches.
Brian Snitker and Ron Washington have to step in. pic.twitter.com/T6DF0wi7oA
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) April 16, 2022
The Bringer of Hail
After a hail storm delayed the Yankees/Orioles game, play resumed, and it was Josh Donaldson turning in his first big moment of the season. With the game tied 2-2 in the fifth, he swatted a two-run shot to right-center, his first of the year. And showed some serious swagger on the follow-through. He needed that one, too, as he came into the contest slashing .188/ .235/ .219. More importantly, Yankee fans were serenaded with another glorious home run call from the team’s long-time radio voice John Sterling. “That’s Josh, by gosh! Josh with panache!”
After the hail cleared, @bringerofrain20 hit us with a tough bat drop. ? pic.twitter.com/UeMZpKYv5G
— MLB (@MLB) April 17, 2022
Baseball’s Top Prospect
Big 2022 debut for @RipkenTheBatDog with the @DurhamBulls! pic.twitter.com/CtiSWCPhy9
— Minor League Baseball (@MiLB) April 17, 2022
Saving the best for last. The Rays have yet another secret weapon lurking in the minor leagues.
Photo by Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Justin Paradis (@JustParaDesigns of Twitter)