Live updates: Best of Wednesday's MLB action
On Wednesday, Yankees right-hander Masahiro Tanaka made his first start since April 23. Sufficiently recovered form forearm and wrist problems, Tanaka went out and dominated the Mariners …
That’s his highest strikeout total since June 17 of last year. Here’s a look …
In addition to the kind of dominance you see above, Tanaka’s velocity readings were also promising. Via Brooks Baseball …
Good marks on the fastball, and what’s particularly encouraging is that Tanaka appeared to get stronger as the game went along. In fact, his highest readings came just before his 78-pitch outing ended (58 strikes on the day).
Needless to say, this is all very good news for the Yankees. This season, the Yankee rotation has allowed 4.21 runs per game versus an AL average mark for starters of 4.18. As well, Yankee starters rank ninth in the AL in innings per start and 13th in quality start percentage. To say that the Yanks need rotation help is an understatement.
Obviously, Tanaka has spent a large portion of his brief MLB career on the disabled list, so he offers no guarantees moving forward. Wednesday’s gem, though, at least gives the first-place Yanks some positive takeaways. Tanaka’s back, at least for now.
(Image: USATAI)
Here is Wednesday’s edition of Eye on MLB, aka The Eye, which is your daily one-stop shop for everything that happens in the world of baseball. Game recaps, milestone updates, important highlights, news and notes … all that and more can be found right here. Either check back through the day for updates or come back for the finished product on Thursday morning, Your call.
Today’s MLB action (all times ET) (Full scoreboard)
Red Sox 6, Twins 3 (Box score): Four hits by Dustin Pedroia paced the Boston offense, which hung five runs and 11 hits on Phil Hughes in 4 2/3 innings. Xander Bogaerts had three hits himself and drove in a pair of runs. Rookie lefty Eduardo Rodriguez dazzled in his second MLB start (and Fenway Park debut), holding Minnesota to one run on two hits and two walks in seven innings. He struck out seven in the first game of their doubleheader.
Cardinals 7, Brewers 4 (Box score): This game was over after the first inning. Or at least it felt that way. St. Louis scored five runs off Jimmy Nelson in the bottom of the first — the first six batters they sent to the plate reached base, then the seventh and eighth batters hit sac flies — and nursed that lead the rest of the way. Adam Lind drove in runs in the seventh and ninth to make the game seem closer than it really was. Matt Carpenter, Jhonny Peralta and Yadier Molina had two hits apiece for the Cardinals. The Brewers have lost 11 of their last 14 games.
Yankees 3, Mariners 1 (Box score): Masahiro Tanaka was limited to 80 pitches in his first start off the DL after missing a month with wrist tendinitis, and he made the most of it: 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 9 K. He was dominant. The Yankees got home runs from Mark Teixeira (solo) and Garrett Jones (two-run) while Andrew Miller nailed down the five-out save. He’s 17 for 17 in save chances. The Yankees swept the three-game series in Safeco Field.
Diamondbacks 9, Braves 8 (Box score): The D-backs came from being down 6-0 in the second and 7-3 in the fifth to win. A.J. Pollock homered for a second straight game, and Yasmany Tomas had three hits. For the Braves, Freddie Freeman homered twice. Arizona scored its ninth run when Braves reliever Jim Johnson made a bad throw while trying to trap Nick Ahmed in a rundown.
Pirates 5, Giants 2 (Box score): Starters Francisco Liriano and Tim Hudson each worked seven innings, struck out six and walked one. However, Liriano allowed one run to Hudson’s two. The Pirates sealed it when they reached the San Fran bullpen for three late runs, thus cinching the three-game road sweep. Jordy Mercer homered and doubled for Pittsburgh.
Games still underway or upcoming:
Milestone Watch
Longest active hit streak: Blue Jays outfielder Chris Colabello picked up a base hit in both ends of the team’s doubleheader on Tuesday, so he comes into Wednesday riding an MLB-best 13-game hit streak. Several other players are tied for the second longest active hit streak at 10 games.
Monthly Awards: MLB announced the monthly awards for May on Wednesday. Here are the winners:
MLB says Harper and Scherzer are the first pair of teammates to win the NL Player and Pitcher of the Month awards in the same month since Ryan Braun and CC Sabathia for the Brewers in July 2008.
Daily Awards
Post-apocalyptic ballpark of the day: The trailer for the video game Fallout 4 was released on Wednesday (see it here). I’ve never played the Fallout series (I’m more of a sports game guy myself) but I’m told Fallout 4 is highly anticipated. Anyway, the game is set in Boston and focuses on a post-nuclear war world, and the trailer shows what appears to be Fenway Park in ruins:
It’s not an exact replica, but the baseball player statue and general look suggest it is meant to at least approximate Fenway Park, perhaps Gate B. Neat! (hat tip/screen grab from Deadspin)
Transaction of the day: The Brewers managed to make a three-Tyler transaction at the minor league level on Wednesday:
To make room for Tyler Wagner on the Biloxi roster, Tyler LaTorre has been transferred to Helena. Also, Tyler Alexander has been released.
— Brewers Player Dev (@BrewersPD) June 3, 2015
Scary play of the day: Brewers infielder Hector Gomez crashed into the stands chasing after a foul pop-up on Wednesday. He was able to walk off the field under his power. The Brewers say Gomez does not have a concussion and is heading for more tests. Here’s the play:
More coming throughout the day.
Injuries, News & Rumors
Phillies SP Chad Billingsley throwing for first time since injury
Hand injury keeps Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos on bench
Cubs RF Jorge Soler placed on 15-day DL with ankle sprain
Mets RP Vic Black moving rehab to Triple-A
Yankees C Brian McCann only lasts 1 1/2 innings Wednesday
Orioles recall T.J. McFarland, option Oliver Drake to Triple-A
Dodgers option pitcher Ian Thomas to Triple-A
McClendon continues to stand behind Fernando Rodney as M’s closer
A’s pitcher Drew Pomeranz activated from 15-day disabled list
Nationals option CF Matt den Dekker to Triple-A Syracuse
Rockies send down David Hale to Triple-A Albuquerque
Diamondbacks SP Enrique Burgos will need more time on DL
Cubs prospect Javier Baez to give third base a try
Yankees officially activate Tanaka in time for Wednesday start
Yankees designate David Carpenter for assignment
Giants SP Jake Peavy expected to make rehab start Saturday
Yankees legend Mariano Rivera has a hand in Dellin Betances’ torrid start
Thumb procedure to sideline Brewers’ Ryan Braun till Sunday
Rangers’ Jeff Banister open to moving Joey Gallo to outfield
Red Sox recall RP Robbie Ross Jr. for DH on Wednesday
Twins’ Molitor: 50 percent chance Ricky Nolasco goes on DL
Twins SP Kyle Gibson pushed back to Friday vs. Milwaukee
Twins to call up Tommy Milone to start Thursday at Boston
Red Sox veteran David Ortiz: I don’t have timetable for retirement
Report: Reds to call-up infielder Ivan De Jesus Jr. from Triple-A
Looking Ahead to Tomorrow’s MLB action (all times ET)
Relatively light schedule on Thursday, though some really great and fun to watch starting pitchers will be on the mound. Dallas Keuchel, Jake Arrieta, Carlos Rodon, Trevor Bauer, Matt Harvey, Michael Wacha … nice little list there.
This entry passed through the Full-Text RSS service – if this is your content and you’re reading it on someone else’s site, please read the FAQ at fivefilters.org/content-only/faq.php#publishers.
