MLB ROUNDUP: CHAS MCCORMICK, ASTROS RALLY PAST RANGERS
Chas McCormick produced a career-high six RBIs and Yainer Diaz delivered a walk-off single in the ninth inning as the host Houston Astros rallied for a 10-9 victory over the Texas Rangers on Monday.
In the ninth, Diaz followed walks from Kyle Tucker and McCormick with a single to right off Rangers reliever Alex Speas (0-2) to end the game. Tucker walked three times and scored four runs, while Alex Bregman went 3-for-5 for the Astros, who won for the fifth time in six games.
Ryan Pressly (3-2) worked a scoreless top of the ninth.
Josh Jung and Josh H. Smith homered for the Rangers, and Marcus Semien and Travis Jankowski joined Jung in recording multi-hit games. Texas took its third loss in four games.
Brewers 3, Reds 2
Christian Yelich singled home the winning run off Alexis Diaz in the ninth inning to give Milwaukee a walk-off victory over visiting Cincinnati in the opener of a three-game series.
Blake Perkins walked on four pitches to open the ninth off Diaz (3-2). Jesse Winker followed with a pinch-hit single to right before Yelich grounded a 1-0 pitch to right to score Perkins from second, snapping the Reds’ five-game winning streak.
Elly De La Cruz put Cincinnati in front 2-1 in the third with his sixth homer of the season, a two-run shot off Colin Rea. Devin Williams (5-2) earned the win.
Twins 4, Mariners 3 (10 innings)
Carlos Correa singled in Donovan Solano from third in the bottom of the 10th inning to give Minnesota a second straight walk-off victory in the opener of a three-game series against Seattle at Minneapolis.
Correa looped an 0-2 fastball from Mariners reliever Paul Sewald (3-1) into right to drive in Solano, who began the inning as the automatic runner and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Christian Vazquez. Minnesota’s Max Kepler went 3-for-4, including a game-tying RBI double in the bottom of the ninth. Jorge Lopez (4-2) picked up the win with a hitless 10th inning.
Kolten Wong hit a two-run, pinch-hit home run in the top of the ninth to give the Mariners a 3-2 lead. Tom Murphy homered and doubled, and J.P. Crawford also had two hits for Seattle.
Tigers 5, Giants 1
Tarik Skubal notched his first victory in over a year, Kerry Carpenter and Zack Short drove in two runs apiece and host Detroit defeated slumping San Francisco.
Skubal (1-1) struck out nine while holding the Giants to no runs and two hits in five innings. Riley Greene had three hits and scored twice, while Spencer Torkelson added two hits and drove in a run.
Wilmer Flores homered for San Francisco, which has lost a season-worst six straight games at the end of an 11-game road trip. The game was a makeup of an April 16 postponement.
Orioles 3, Phillies 2
Colton Cowser hit a go-ahead RBI double in the ninth inning to lift Baltimore to a victory over host Philadelphia.
Jordan Westburg and Ryan Mountcastle each hit a solo home run for the Orioles, who have won five of their past six games. Baltimore starter Dean Kremer gave up three hits and one run in seven innings, while Bryan Baker (4-3) earned the win.
Kyle Schwarber had a sacrifice fly and two walks for Philadelphia, while Nick Castellanos added an RBI single. Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez tossed seven innings and allowed four hits and two runs with a career-high eight strikeouts.
Rockies 10, Nationals 6
Nolan Jones hit a two-run home run and Alan Trejo racked up four hits as Colorado prevented host Washington from picking up what would have been a season-best, four-game winning streak.
Colorado improved to 6-3 since the All-Star break by winning the opener of a three-game series between the two teams with the worst records in the National League. Ezequiel Tovar and Randal Grichuk each had three hits for the Rockies, and Jones and Harold Castro added two hits and two RBIs apiece.
Rockies reliever Karl Kauffmann (1-3) gave up two hits and one run in four-plus innings while posting his first major league victory. Patrick Corbin (6-11) surrendered six runs (five earned) on 10 hits in 6 1/3 innings.
Royals 5, Guardians 3
Kansas City collected only seven hits, but two were homers from Salvador Perez and Maikel Garcia, and that was enough to beat host Cleveland in the opener of a three-game series.
Royals left-hander Ryan Yarbrough (3-5) scattered six hits over six innings, yielding just one run. Scott Barlow allowed two runners in the ninth but escaped to post his 12th save. Guardians left-hander Logan Allen (4-3) gave up seven hits and five runs (four earned) in seven innings.
Bobby Witt Jr. and Kyle Isbel each had two hits for the Royals. Amed Rosario had three of Cleveland’s 10 hits, while Will Brennan and Myles Straw had two hits apiece.
BRAVES LAND RELIEVERS PIERCE JOHNSON AND TAYLOR HEARN IN TRADES WITH ROCKIES AND RANGERS
ATLANTA (AP) — The NL-leading Atlanta Braves traded for a pair of relievers Monday, acquiring right-hander Pierce Johnson from Colorado and lefty Taylor Hearn from Texas.
The moves could help Atlanta (64-34) fortify its beleaguered bullpen for the final two months of the season. Braves left-hander A.J. Minter was placed on the 15-day injured list with left shoulder inflammation earlier this month, joining right-hander Nick Anderson (60-day IL) on the sidelines.
Atlanta boasts the best record in the majors despite also being without left-hander Dylan Lee (left shoulder inflammation) and right-hander Jesse Chavez (bruised left shin).
So clearly the Braves needed help. They gave up pitching prospects Victor Vodnik and Tanner Gordon to land Johnson. The 23-year-old Vodnik was 3-1 with a 3.10 ERA in 30 relief outings for Double-A Mississippi. The 25-year-old Gordon has split this season between Triple-A Gwinnett and Mississippi, combining to go 5-9 with a 5.86 ERA in 17 games.
They got Hearn for cash considerations. He had been designated for assignment last week. He began the season with the Rangers and posted a 10.29 ERA in four relief outings before being optioned to Triple-A Round Rock in mid-April.
Johnson should step into the bullpen immediately. The 32-year-old was 1-5 with a 6.00 ERA for the Rockies, having pitched 39 innings in 43 outings, striking out 58 and walking 25.
He was a 2012 first-round draft pick by the Chicago Cubs. In his career, Johnson has an 11-14 record and 4.48 ERA, with 185 relief appearances and 13 saves.
OHTANI FOCUSED ON ANGELS’ PLAYOFF CHASE AHEAD OF TRADE DEADLINE
With the Angels sitting just above .500 with a 51-49 record that puts them four games out of an AL Wild Card spot, two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani is remaining focused on winning with his current club despite recent rumors the front office in Anaheim would listen to offers on him ahead of the trade deadline on August 1. According to Ohtani: “I feel like we’re in a decent spot to make a playoff run, and that’s all I’m really focused on at the moment.” That attitude is hardly a surprising one for the 28-year-old phenom, who has long been vocal about his desire to win. In that regard, he’s certainly done his part, putting together another MVP-caliber campaign with a .302/.398/.674 slash line at the plate combined with a 3.71 ERA and 32.2% strikeout rate in 19 starts on the mound.
Of course, the Angels will need production from more than just Ohtani if they are to return to the postseason for the first time since 2014. The club’s bullpen has done its part, particularly in the cases of Carlos Estevez (220 ERA+) and Matt Moore (213 ERA+). The rotation has struggled badly this season beyond Ohtani, however, with only Reid Detmers (101 ERA+) and Patrick Sandoval (107 ERA+) posting numbers above league average. The lineup, meanwhile, has suffered major injuries with Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, Brandon Drury, and Jo Adell joining Gio Urshela and Logan O’Hoppe on the injured list over the past month. Of that quartet, only Drury is expected back prior to the trade deadline, leaving much of the club’s fate in the hands of reserve players like Mike Moustakas, Luis Rengifo, and Trey Cabbage.
Draft Pick Signings:
Nationals signed 2nd-overall pick OF Dylan Crews via a $9-million, above-slot bonus, per Jon Heyman of the New York Post.
Red Sox signed 14th-overall pick C Kyle Teel via a $4-million, below-slot bonus and 50th-overall pick SS Nazzan Zanetello via a $3-million, above-slot bonus, both per Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline.
Rays signed 19th-overall pick 3B Braden Taylor via a $3,880,100 bonus matching his slot value, per Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline.
Guardians signed 23rd-overall pick C Ralphy Velazquez via a $2.5-million, below-slot bonus and 59th-overall pick LHP Alex Clemmey via a $2.3-million, above-slot bonus, per Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline.
Twins signed 34th-overall pick RHP Charlee Soto via a $2,481,400 bonus matching his slot value, per Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline.
Marlins signed 35th-overall pick LHP Thomas White via a $4.1-million, above-slot bonus, per Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline.
Dodgers signed 36th-overall pick OF Kendall George via a $1.85-million, below-slot bonus, per Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline.
Tigers signed 37th-overall pick SS Kevin McGonigle via a $2.85-million, above-slot bonus, per Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline.
Injury News & Updates:
Angels 3B Anthony Rendon (shin contusion) is suffering from a more serious injury than initially believed, as an MRI revealed what manager Phil Nevin referred to as “significant bleeding” inside the bone of his shin. He figures to be shut down for at least two more weeks before he begins to ramp up again.
Rangers SS Corey Seager was placed on the 10-day injured list with a thumb sprain, though he hopes to miss only two weeks after an MRI revealed no structural damage.
A’s LHP Richard Lovelady (forearm strain) will not return to a mound this season following a visit with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Neal ElAttrache that confirmed Lovelady was dealing with a strained pronator muscle in his left arm.
Rumors:
Justin Verlander is drawing trade interest from multiple clubs including the Giants should he opt to waive his no-trade clause with the Mets, according to Jon Morosi of MLB Network.
The Marlins have interest in Nationals third baseman Jeimer Candelario to help bolster their lineup down the stretch, per USA Today’s Bob Nightengale.
The Dodgers could look into a reunion with Enrique Hernandez in the event the Red Sox elect to move him prior to the trade deadline, according to Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic.
Roster Moves:
Braves claimed RHP Yonny Chirinos off waivers from the Rays and designated RHP Seth Elledge for assignment while optioning RHP Michael Soroka to Triple-A.
Cardinals selected the contract of INF Taylor Motter while optioning INF Jose Fermin to Triple-A and releasing RHP Jake Walsh.
Rays outrighted RHP Javy Guerra to Triple-A.
Brewers selected the contract of OF Sal Frelick while designating OF Raimel Tapia for assignment.
Padres selected the contract of LHP Jackson Wolf while designating right-hander Domingo Tapia for assignment.
A’s selected the contract of RHP Chad Smith.
Giants designated RHP Mauricio Llovera for assignment.
Red Sox selected the contract of RHP Norwith Gudino.
Braves selected the contract of RHP Daysbel Hernandez.
From Trade Rumors Front Office:
Anthony Franco: The Challenge Of Upgrading The Marlins
In his latest exclusive article for Front Office subscribers, MLBTR’s Anthony Franco looks at the difficult situation facing the Marlins’ front office as they attempt to upgrade their club ahead of the upcoming trade deadline. In doing so, he examines the dillema presented by the club’s offense-over-defense approach to the lineup and discusses potential targets for the club over the next week:
Miami’s outfield ranks 24th in Statcast’s Outs Above Average. They’re dead last as measured by Defensive Runs Saved at -24 runs. Jazz Chisholm Jr.’s injury issues have limited him to 360 2/3 innings as he learns center field on the fly. Bryan De La Cruz and Jesús Sánchez lead the club in corner outfield work. They’re good hitters but both players — De La Cruz, especially — are average or worse defensively. Jorge Soler has been predictably disastrous when plugged into outfield work and is much better suited for designated hitter, as the front office acknowledges.
Finding an outfielder who can contribute on both sides of the ball would be ideal. Unless Miami surprisingly lands Cody Bellinger, there aren’t a ton of obvious options. If the Astros got Bellinger, perhaps they’d sell low on Jake Meyers. The Cardinals could listen on Dylan Carlson for young starting pitching. Would Miami be willing to part with Braxton Garrett or Edward Cabrera after trading Pablo López and dealing with injuries/ineffectiveness from Trevor Rogers and Johnny Cueto? That seems less likely than it did a few months ago.
Steve Adams: The Phillies Should Look To A Division Rival For Their Deadline Needs
Meanwhile, MLBTR’s Steve Adams suggests in his latest exclusive article for Front Office subscribers that the Phillies should turn their search for offensive help toward an intradivision deal. He argues that a deal with the Nationals would allow the club to upgrade their infield mix and their bullpen simultaneously:
Adding a roughly league-average hitter against lefties would be an upgrade for the Phils. Candelario could play third base every day, with Bohm slotting in against lefties and Hall or Harper manning first base against right-handers. That’d leave Bohm’s bat on the bench to bring into the game in key spots when opposing managers go to a tough lefty against Hall, Schwarber, Brandon Marsh or Bryson Stott. Currently, defensive specialist Edmundo Sosa (.244/.280/.449 versus lefties), 27-year-old rookie Drew Ellis (29 MLB plate appearances this season) and just-promoted rookie Johan Rojas are the top right-handed options off the bench. For a contending club, that’s just not good enough.
Third base isn’t the Phillies’ only need, of course, and while the Nats might not have the rotation help Philly’s likely to be seeking, Washington should have some bullpen arms available. Philadelphia is deep in late-inning arms, with Craig Kimbrel, Jose Alvarado, Gregory Soto and Seranthony Dominguez all on the roster. However, both Alvarado and Dominguez are on the injured list at the moment, and the Phils are relying on some suspect arms to round out the relief corps while they wait to get healthy. Dylan Covey is a long-relief stopgap. Yunior Marte lacks any real big league track record. Andrew Bellatti has been unable to replicate last year’s success.
FORMER NO. 1 OVERALL DRAFT PICK MIKE IVIE DIES AT 70
Former No. 1 overall draft pick Mike Ivie, who played parts of 11 big league seasons, has died. He was 70.
Ivie died on Friday in North Augusta, S.C. According to Posey Funeral Directors, Ivie died of ongoing health issues.
Ivie batted .269 with 81 homers and 411 RBIs in 857 games with the San Diego Padres (1971, 1974-77), San Francisco Giants (1978-81), Houston Astros (1981-82) and Detroit Tigers (1982-83).
In 1970, Ivie was drafted as a catcher by the Padres and billed to be a future star. But Ivie developed troubles throwing the ball back to the pitcher, setting back his development.
He ended up starting just five games as a catcher, four in 1971 and one in 1976. San Diego also tried him at third base before he eventually saw most of his playing time at first base. His best season for the Padres was when he batted .291 in 1976.
Ivie was traded to the Giants prior to the 1978 season and hit four pinch-hit homers. He set a major league record that season with two pinch-hit grand slams.
In his second year with San Francisco, he established career highs of 27 homers and 89 RBIs.
Ivie’s major league career was over at age 30 when the Tigers released him in 1983. Late in his career, Ivie said the pressures and high expectations deeply affected him.