NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 15: Nathan Eovaldi #24 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 15, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 15: Nathan Eovaldi #24 of the Tampa Bay Rays pitches in the first inning against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium on June 15, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Mike Stobe/Getty Images) /
Nathan Eovaldi took a perfect game into the 7th inning for the Tampa Bay Rays, and more in today’s Relief Roundup!
At Call to the Pen, we want to ensure every MLB team is getting coverage, and that you’re well-informed as the reader! As part of that, we have brought back our daily piece into our collection with all of the night’s scores in the major leagues, the top performers in the minors, the minor league schedules, and a bit of history/birthdays at the very end.
Without further adieu, let’s begin!
Yesterday’s MLB Scores
New York Yankees 2, Toronto Blue Jays 1, 10 innings in Toronto – A solo home run in the 6th inning gave Toronto the chance to push the game into extra innings, but the Yankees were just able to continue generating quality contact and bringing in elite arms to outlast the Jays.
Oakland Athletics 6, Cleveland Indians 0 in Cleveland – Oakland shut out the Indians to take the weekend series in Cleveland from the Indians with Sunday’s win. Every Athletics hitter reached base on the day.
Tampa Bay Rays 9, New York Mets 0 in New York – Nathan Eovaldi was the talk of the day as he took a perfect game into the 7th inning and finished the day with one hit and no walks over 7 innings, striking out 9 in an incredibly impressive performance.
Texas Rangers 3, Detroit Tigers 0 in Detroit – A day after Big Sexy was denied a win in spite throwing a complete game, the Rangers made sure they supported their pitcher giving a tremendous performance to get the Sunday victory.
Miami Marlins 10, Washington Nationals 2 in Washington – After taking a beating at the hands of the Nationals on Saturday, the Marlins turned the tables on Sunday, holding down the Nats offense and putting up double-digit runs of their own.
Pittsburgh Pirates 4, Philadelphia Phillies 1 in Pittsburgh – After Philly tied the game at 1 in the top of the 4th, the Pirates responded in the bottom of the inning with 3 runs and that finished the scoring in the finale of a well-fought interstate series.
Milwaukee Brewers 10, Atlanta Braves 3 in Milwaukee – The Braves entered the day with a chance to earn a split of the series, but after a 5-run bottom of the third inning, the Brewers had the game put away for all intents and purposes.
Minnesota Twins 10, Baltimore Orioles 1 in Minnesota – If the Twins could just play the Orioles every weekend, the team would be back in playoff contention in no time. Finishing a weekend series that they dominated the O’s, both teams were off the board until the bottom of the 5th, and then the Twins offense was just busting out from then on.
Houston Astros 2, Chicago White Sox 1 in Houston – One of the best starts of the season from young Lucas Giolito was spoiled from an even better performance from Dallas Keuchel as the Astros are able to get the Sunday victory.
Boston Red Sox 7, Kansas City Royals 4 in Kansas City – The Red Sox put the game out of reach with a 3-spot in the top of the 7th and then their talented bullpen shutting things down in the end.
Chicago Cubs 6, Cincinnati Reds 5, 10 innings in Chicago – The Cubs walked off with a win in the bottom of the 10th over the Reds in a hard-fought battle in a series that challenged the Cubs much more than they likely thought they would be looking ahead to this weekend even a month ago.
San Francisco Giants 13, St. Louis Cardinals 8 in San Francisco – The Giants and Cardinals put up 28 hits and 21 runs on Sunday in a game that could have plenty of place for the postseason.
Seattle Mariners 6, Colorado Rockies 4 in Seattle – The Mariners got 3 runs in the first, and when that lead was threatened in the top of the 6th, they put up another 3 runs to cement the victory for surprising Wade LeBlanc.
San Diego Padres 4, Arizona Diamondbacks 3, 16 innings in Arizona – This game required an extra pot of coffee to be brewed mid-game for everyone to last all the way through for 16 innings. Both teams used big chunks of their pitching staffs as 19 pitchers appeared in the game.
Los Angeles Angels k, Los Angeles Dodgers 3 in Los Angeles – The Dodgers jumped out early on Angels starter Andrew Heaney, but he bounced back well to throw 7 strong innings, and his teammates crawled back into it to back his efforts.
Top Pitcher
Pretty easy choice on the day as Nathan Eovaldi threw a beauty of a game into the 7th inning, perfect through six innings. He ended up finishing his day against the Mets with 7 innings pitched, just one hit allowed, no walks, no runs, and 9 strikeouts on a day when as many as 10 teams were scouting Eovaldi as a possible low-cost trade option. His cost may have gone up a notch or two Sunday.
Top Hitter
Primarily a platoon player entering the season, Jesus Aguilar is having a big year for the Brewers, and his weekend against the Braves was no exception. On Sunday, as the two division leaders squared off, Aguilar went 2-4 with a pair of home runs and 4 RBI and also drew a walk. Over the 4-game set, Aguilar hit .357/.412/1.071, hitting 3 home runs and driving in 8 as the Brewers took the series 3 games to 1.
Today’s Game to Watch
Monday’s game between the Dodgers and Padres will feature two pitchers of intrigue as Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw will take the mound, looking to re-establish himself after his return from injury. Also seeking to re-establish himself is young Padres hurler Luis Perdomo, who was a sabermetric darling coming into the season but struggled heavily to open the year. He’s making his second start since being recalled from the minors.
Next: AA/AAA
AAA Featured Performer
With the struggles they are having at first base, it’s a wonder the Mariners haven’t just turned the position over to Dan Vogelbach at any point this season for an extended stretch. The 25 year-old has been up for 23 games with the big league club, but he’s averaged less than 3 at bats per game while he’s been up, a sure sign he’s not getting regular playing time, and he’s definitely a guy who needs those regular reps. He’s getting them in AAA, and this may be the best his power plus batting eye have played together in a single season. On Sunday, Vogelbach drove out his 15th homer on the season in just 79 games, also posting a 52/40 BB/K ratio, showing his keen eye.
Today’s AAA Game to Watch
No games scheduled
AAA International League
No games scheduled
AAA Pacific Coast League
No games scheduled
AA Featured Performer
While the Orioles have had a number of breakout pitchers in their system, it’s seemed at times like Ryan Mountcastle is the only hitting prospect who is holding his preseason value or improving it. Already hitting .316 with his highest career walk rate, Mountcastle had a very good game Sunday for Bowie, going 2-3 with a home run, 3 RBI, and even drew a walk.
Today’s AA Game to Watch
Akeem Bostick has been an intriguing arm since he was a pick by the Rangers in the 2013 draft. The Astros have split him between the rotation and the bullpen as they do with many of their starters, and they’ve seen solid results. Bostick and his Corpus Christi teammates host Northwest Arkansas Monday night.
AA Eastern League
No games scheduled
AA Southern League
Montgomery Biscuits @ Tennessee Smokies Chattanooga Lookouts @ Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Jackson Generals @ Biloxi Shuckers Mobile BayBears @ Pensacola Blue Wahoos Mississippi Braves @ Birmingham Barons
AA Texas League
Midland RockHounds @ Springfield Cardinals Arkansas Travelers @ San Antonio Missions Frisco RoughRiders @ Tulsa Drillers Northwest Arkansas Naturals @ Corpus Christi Hooks
Next: high-A/low-A
high-A Featured Performer
The Angels drafted Connor Justus for his glove work at both middle infield positions out of Georgia Tech in the 5th round in 2016. He’s showed fine with the glove since, but his bat hasn’t kept up, hitting sub-.200 in AA to open the year. A bump back to high-A Inland Empire has seemed to jump start Justus’ bat. Over his last two games, he’s gone 3-6 with a double and 2 home runs, driving in 7, and walking twice as well.
Today’s high-A Game to Watch
Salem’s Daniel Gonzalez has raised his stock in the Red Sox farm system with his performance this season. He’ll be tested against Winston-Salem’s powerful lineup on Monday night.
California League
Inland Empire 66ers @ Lake Elsinore Modesto Nuts @ Visalia Rawhide Lancaster JetHawks @ Rancho Cucamonga Quakes San Jose Giants @ Stockton Ports
Carolina League
Down East Wood Ducks @ Buies Creek Astros Potomac Nationals @ Lynchburg Hillcats Wilmington Blue Rocks @ Frederick Keys Carolina Mudcats @ Myrtle Beach Pelicans Winston-Salem Dash @ Salem Red Sox
Florida State League
Florida Fire Frogs @ Daytona Tortugas, Game 1 Florida Fire Frogs @ Daytona Tortugas, Game 2 Clearwater Threshers @ Dunedin Blue Jays Lakeland Flying Tigers @ Bradenton Marauders Tampa Tarpons @ Jupiter Hammerheads St. Lucie Mets @ Charlotte Stone Crabs Palm Beach Cardinals @ Fort Myers Miracle
low-A Featured Performer
The Astros signed Leovanny Rodriguez as an “older” sign out of the Dominican Republic in 2015, debuting at 19 years old. He was extremely raw, but he’s starting to really harness his stuff, and in his first exposure to full season ball with Quad Cities, he moved his ERA on the season to a 3.23 and season WHIP to 1.06 with a gem against Burlington on Sunday, going 5 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits and a walk, and striking out 10.
Today’s low-A Game to Watch
Bowling Green has been absolutely steamrolling the Midwest League this season, with a 59-28 record. They send Austin Franklin and his 3.59 ERA to the mound as they travel to Fort Wayne Monday night.
Midwest League
Cedar Rapids Kernels @ Kane County Cougars Peoria Chiefs @ Wisconsin Timber Rattlers West Michigan Whitecaps @ Lake County Captains Bowling Green Hot Rods @ Fort Wayne TinCaps Dayton Dragons @ Great Lakes Loons South Bend Cubs @ Lansing Lugnuts Burlington Bees @ Quad Cities River Bandits Clinton LumberKings @ Beloit Snappers
South Atlantic League
Augusta GreenJackets @ Rome Braves Charleston RiverDogs @ Columbia Fireflies Greensboro Grasshoppers @ Lexington Legends Greenville Drive @ Asheville Tourists Hagerstown Suns @ West Virginia Power Hickory Crawdads @ Delmarva Shorebirds Lakewood BlueClaws @ Kannapolis Intimidators
Next: Short Season/Advanced Rookie
Short Season Featured Performer
The Cubs originally signed Gustavo Polanco out of Venezuela in 2014. While he’s hit for a solid average at every level, he’s been very contact-oriented without a ton of power and not drawing a lot of walks, hence his career line of .287/.322/.364. However, in a situation like Eugene was in Sunday, a contact bat to get a single was exactly what was needed, and Polanco came through, part of a 2-4 day for Polanco with 2 RBI and 2 doubles.
Today’s Short-Season New York-Penn League schedule
Aberdeen IronBirds @ Tri-City ValleyCats Hudson Valley Renegades @ Lowell Spinners Brooklyn Cyclones @ Staten Island Yankees Auburn Doubledays @ West Virginia Black Bears Connecticut Tigers @ Vermont Lake Monsters State College Spikes @ Batavia Muckdogs Williamsport Crosscutters @ Mahoning Valley Scrappers
Drafted out of Puerto Rico in the 14th round of the 2016 draft, Francisco Del Valle was very raw coming into the Angels system, but he’s found himself in his second full season in the Halos’ system, hitting .346/.446/.487 on the year. On Sunday, he knocked out his first home run of the season, going 2-4 with a home run and 3 RBIs.
Today’s Advanced Rookie Appalachian League schedule
Princeton Rays @ Bristol Pirates Greeneville Reds @ Burlington Royals Pulaski Yankees @ Johnson City Cardinals Danville Braves @ Elizabethton Twins Kingsport Mets @ Bluefield Blue Jays
Today’s Advanced Rookie Pioneer League schedule
No scheduled games
Next: Rookie Ball Schedules
Rookie Ball Featured Performer
The Los Angeles Dodgers signed lefty Robinson Ortiz last summer, and since he was old enough, he was able to get his feet wet in the Dominican Summer League last summer. This year, the Dodgers have him in the Arizona Rookie League. On Sunday, Ortiz pitched a gem against the Angels squad, going 5 innings without allowing a run, giving up just one hit and no walks, striking out 6.
GCL Tigers West @ GCL Braves, Game 1 GCL Tigers West @ GCL Braves, Game 2 GCL Yankees East @ GCL Phillies East, Game 1 GCL Yankees East @ GCL Phillies East, Game 2 GCL Cardinals @ GCL Astros GCL Mets @ GCL Marlins GCL Phillies West @ GCL Blue Jays GCL Pirates @ GCL Tigers East GCL Rays @ GCL Twins GCL Red Sox @ GCL Orioles
Next: Today's Birthdays/history
Birthdays today
There are no Hall of Fame players on today’s birthday list, which allows me to highlight a personal favorite from the 1980s.
While he played on one of the better teams in the 1980s, Willie Wilson had an incredible run from 1976-1994 that didn’t seem ever to get recognized enough for just how well he played. Wilson finally established himself as a regular in the Royals outfield in 1979 after stealing 46 bases in part time duty in 1978. His first year as a regular, he hit .315, legged out 13 triples, and led the league with 83 stolen bases.
Wilson would go on to lead the league in triples four times, though his best season was really overshadowed by his teammate George Brett, as in the same season that Brett was chasing .400, Wilson led the league with 230 hits, 15 triples, and 133 marks, all tops in both leagues, while hitting .326 and stealing 79 bases at the top of the Royals lineup.
Wilson would finish his career as a .285 career hitter with 147 triples and 668 stolen bases. He had a knack for using his speed well in the right time as well, tallying 3 steals in the 1985 World Series for the Royals against the Cardinals and stealing an astonishing 7 bases for the Oakland A’s as they fell to the Blue Jays in 1992 when Wilson was 36 years old. He still ranks 12th in stolen bases all-time.
Wilson was an All-Star twice, won a Gold Glove, won 2 Silver Sluggers, and received votes for MVP 4 times. Sadly, when he got to the Hall of Fame ballot in 2000, he only got 2%.
Active MLB players born today: Rusney Castillo, Jace Fry, Miguel Montero
Joe DiMaggio hit the first of his two career cycles on this day in 1937 against the Senators, getting a single, double, triple, and a pair of home runs. It’d be over a decade before his second cycle.
The Chicago writer that pushed hard for the origination of the All-Star game, Arch Ward passes away at age 58 on this day in 1955.
The BBWAA chooses to establish the Cy Young Award on this day in 1955. The votes were very close, 14-12.
Because of the New York Yankees fans, the Yankees traded Ed Whitson on this day to San Diego for Tim Stoddard in 1986. Whitson would pitch 5 more seasons, posting a 3.53 ERA and 1.19 WHIP and tossing 945 1/3 innings. Stoddard put up a 3.50 as a reliever in 1987, but in 1988, he was blown up for a 6.38 ERA.
