CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 11: Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) is congratulated by Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) after hitting a 3-run home run during the fourth inning of the Major League Baseball Interleague game between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians on July 11, 2018, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH – JULY 11: Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor (12) is congratulated by Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez (11) after hitting a 3-run home run during the fourth inning of the Major League Baseball Interleague game between the Cincinnati Reds and Cleveland Indians on July 11, 2018, at Progressive Field in Cleveland, OH. (Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images) /
The Cleveland Indians and Colorado Rockies both put up 19 runs, 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
Tampa Bay Rays 4, Detroit Tigers 3 in Tampa Bay – The Rays scored 3 runs in the bottom of the 7th inning to take the win after Jordan Zimmermann had opened with 6 1-run innings for Detroit.
Pittsburgh Pirates 2, Washington Nationals 0 in Pittsburgh – The Nationals were completely shut down by Trevor Williams and four Pirates relievers as the Pirates took the Nationals back to .500.
Minnesota Twins 8, Kansas City Royals 5 in Minnesota – The Twins had three scoring outbursts after the Royals scored 3 in the first inning off Lance Lynn that brought them the home win.
San Francisco Giants 5, Chicago Cubs 4, 13 innings in San Francisco – The Giants scored 4 runs in the bottom of the first inning, then saw the Cubs chip away and chip away all game, tying the game in the 7th inning before Buster Posey singled in the winning run in the bottom of the 13th.
New York Yankees 9, Baltimore Orioles 0 in Baltimore – After the Orioles took 2 of the first 3 games of the series, the Yankees finally came back strong with a game where the offense showed out with 5 runs in the top of the 3rd inning and the pitching shut down the Orioles offense for the team’s 60th win on the season.
Cleveland Indians 19, Cincinnati Reds 4 in Cleveland – After the Reds were able to come back and score 7 in the 9th on Tuesday, the Indians put this game away – a long, long way away – early on, scoring 17 runs by the end of the 4th inning en route to the blow up win.
New York Mets 3, Philadelphia Phillies 0, 10 innings in New York – As highlighted in yesterdays RR post, this matchup featured a good pitching duel, and they certainly performed to task, as the starters combined for 14 scoreless innings, 7 hits, 2 walks, and 10 strikeouts between the two of them before turning the game over to their respective bullpens where eventually the Mets walked off in the bottom of the 10th on a 3-run homer.
Boston Red Sox 4, Texas Rangers 2 in Boston – The Red Sox used a 3-run outburst in the 5th inning to support a stellar start from Chris Sale in defeating the Rangers at home on Wednesday.
Atlanta Braves 9, Toronto Blue Jays 5 in Atlanta/strong> – The Braves used a 6-run 2nd inning to propel them back into first place over the Blue Jays, in spite of a 5-run rally by Toronto in the 7th inning.
Chicago White Sox 4, St. Louis Cardinals 0 in Chicago – Carlos Rodon had his strongest start since a late start to his season due to a shoulder injury. The two teams combined for 20 strikeouts in the game.
Oakland Athletics 8, Houston Astros 5 – The A’s used 3-run first and fourth innings to put away the Astros. Oakland’s bullpen tossed four scoreless innings without walking a batter.
Miami Marlins 5, Milwaukee Brewers 4, 12 innings in Miami – The Marlins scored 3 in the bottom of the 4th to take the lead and held it until the top of the 8th inning, when the Brewers scored 2 to tie the game and send it into extras where Starlin Castro singled in the winning run.
Seattle Mariners 3, Los Angeles Angels 0 in Los Angeles – Marco Gonzales picked up his 10th win with the aid of two relievers, and this important series will now come down to the deciding game on Thursday.
Los Angeles Dodgers 4, San Diego 2 in San Diego – The Padres got the game’s first run in the bottom of the first, but the Dodgers would respond with 3 in the top of the 3rd and then hold on for the road victory on Wednesday night to gain their 50th win of the season.
Colorado Rockies 19, Arizona Diamondbacks 7 in Arizona – When the pitcher who accumulates the most innings in the game for you originally started the game at second base, it’s not been a good day for your pitching staff, and the Rockies offense certainly gave the Diamondbacks arms one of those days on Wednesday!
Top Pitcher
His team would actually get a win for him, but of course it was after Jacob deGrom had exited the game and was no longer eligible to receive the win as he tossed 8 scoreless innings, allowing just 5 hits and a walk, striking out 7.
Top Hitter
The Indians wanted to ensure they didn’t face another big Reds comeback like they suffered through on Tuesday night, and the offense simply didn’t give up. Leaving part way through the game, Jose Ramirez was able to put up eye-popping numbers, going 2-4 with a pair of home runs, driving in 5.
Today’s Game to Watch
A possible playoff matchup preview takes place Thursday night as the New York Yankees head to Cleveland, and Luis Severino attempts to garner his 15th victory before the All-Star break as they take on Corey Kluber and the Indians.
Next: AA/AAA
AAA Featured Performer
Just 20 when the season opened, Luis Urias has acquitted himself very well at AAA throughout the season at El Paso, and he could be in line for an extended look by the major league club at some point after the MLB All-Star break. In the AAA All-Star game, Urias led off for the victorious Pacific Coast League team, going 2-5, scoring 2 runs, and driving in a run.
Today’s AAA Game to Watch
Rochester puts out lefty Adalberto Mejia in the first game of the second half as they travel to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre to face Chance Adams, who hopes to improve on his 4.82 ERA over the second half of the season.
AAA International League
Columbus Clippers @ Louisville Bats Buffalo Bisons @ Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs Charlotte Knights @ Durham Bulls Gwinnett Stripers @ Norfolk Tides Rochester Red Wings @ Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders Syracuse Chiefs @ Pawtucket PawSox Toledo Mud Hens @ Indianapolis Indians
AAA Pacific Coast League
Colorado Springs Sky Sox @ New Orleans Baby Cakes Memphis Redbirds @ Omaha Storm Chasers Oklahoma City Dodgers @ Round Rock Express Nashville Sounds @ Iowa Cubs Reno Aces @ El Paso Chihuahuas Albuquerque Isotopes @ Las Vegas 51s Fresno Grizzlies @ Tacoma Rainiers Salt Lake Bees @ Sacramento River Cats
AA Featured Performer
The Marlins signed John Norwood as an undrafted free agent after a career at Vanderbilt University. He’s struggled at time with his bat, but he broke through with power last season. Interestingly, the Marlins sent him back to the same level in 2018, and he’s hitting worse this season, but he had a big game on Wednesday, going 4-5 with a pair of home runs and 3 RBI as Jacksonville defeated Chattanooga.
Today’s AA Game to Watch
Logan Allen takes the mound working to continue to build his prospect stock with San Antonio as the Missions travel to Frisco to take on the RoughRiders.
Birmingham Barons @ Tennessee Smokies Biloxi Shuckers @ Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Mobile BayBears @ Jackson Generals Montgomery Biscuits @ Chattanooga Lookouts Pensacola Blue Wahoos @ Mississippi Braves
AA Texas League
Corpus Christi Hooks @ Midland RockHounds San Antonio Missions @ Frisco RoughRiders Tulsa Drillers @ Northwest Arkansas Naturals Springfield Cardinals @ Arkansas Travelers
Next: high-A/low-A
high-A Featured Performer
The Boston Red Sox drafted Trenton Kemp as a high school outfielder from California in the 15th round in 2014, and his bat has come along slowly, to say the least. He is repeating high-A in 2018 for Salem, and on Wednesday, he hit a home run in his 3rd straight game, though he was still hovering around .200 for a batting average.
Today’s high-A Game to Watch
Fort Myers’ Tyler Wells looks to continue his positive start to the season with a 2.58 ERA thus far on the season as he and his Miracle teammates host Palm Beach.
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
Tampa Tarpons @ Jupiter Hammerheads St. Lucie Mets @ Charlotte Stone Crabs, Game 1 St. Lucie Mets @ Charlotte Stone Crabs, Game 2 Clearwater Threshers @ Dunedin Blue Jays Lakeland Flying Tigers @ Bradenton Marauders Palm Beach Cardinals @ Fort Myers Miracle Florida Fire Frogs @ Daytona Tortugas
low-A Featured Performer
Drafted by the Atlanta Braves in the 2nd round of this June’s draft, Greyson Jenista has already made a big impression and earned a promotion to Rome. On Wednesday night, he hit his first home run with the Rome Braves as part of a 2-4 night with a double and a home run on the night.
Today’s low-A Game to Watch
A 30th-round selection in 2017, few saw Alex Fagalde becoming one of the best starters in the Midwest League in 2018, but here he is with over a 5/1 K/BB ratio on the season and a 1.98 ERA over 9 games, 8 of them starts. Fagalde and his Peoria Chiefs host Lake County on Thursday night.
Midwest League
Quad Cities River Bandits @ Dayton Dragons Beloit Snappers @ South Bend Cubs Wisconsin Timber Rattlers @ West Michigan Whitecaps Great Lakes Loons @ Clinton LumberKings Lansing Lugnuts @ Burlington Bees Fort Wayne TinCaps @ Cedar Rapids Kernels Kane County Cougars @ Bowling Green Hot Rods Lake County Captains @ Peoria Chiefs
South Atlantic League
Asheville Tourists @ Lakewood BlueClaws, Game 1 Asheville Tourists @ Lakewood BlueClaws, Game 2 Kannapolis Intimidators @ Greensboro Grasshoppers West Virginia Power @ Hickory Crawdads Columbia Fireflies @ Hagerstown Suns Delmarva Shorebirds @ Charleston RiverDogs Lexington Legends @ Augusta GreenJackets Rome Braves @ Greenville Drive
Next: Short Season/Advanced Rookie
Short Season Featured Performer
Travis Swaggerty has been building his pro resume after being selected by the Pirates 10th overall this June. On Wednesday, he batted leadoff for West Virginia against Hudson Valley, going 2-4 with a double and a home run. He also added a walk and struck out twice.
Today’s Short-Season New York-Penn League schedule
Lowell Spinners @ Auburn Doubledays Mahoning Valley Scrappers @ Staten Island Yankees Batavia Muckdogs @ Connecticut Tigers Brooklyn Cyclones @ Aberdeen IronBirds Tri-City ValleyCats @ Williamsport Crosscutters Vermont Lake Monsters @ State College Spikes West Virginia Black Bears @ Hudson Valley Renegades
The Dodgers have a habit of unearthing late round talent, and they might have another one in outfielder Drew Avans. Selected in the 33rd round, Avans opened his season with a 1.255 OPS in Arizona Rookie League, earning him a promotion to Ogden, where he’s got an almost identical line, especially after a big night Wednesday, when he went 4-5 with a pair of home runs and 5 RBI.
Today’s Advanced Rookie Appalachian League schedule
Greeneville Reds @ Kingsport Mets Bluefield Blue Jays @ Princeton Rays Bristol Pirates @ Pulaski Yankees Burlington Royals @ Danville Braves Elizabethton Twins @ Johnson City Cardinals
Today’s Advanced Rookie Pioneer League schedule
Missoula Osprey @ Ogden Raptors Orem Owls @ Great Falls Voyagers Grand Junction Rockies @ Billings Mustangs Helena Brewers @ Idaho Falls Chukars
Next: Rookie Ball Schedules
Rookie Ball Featured Performer
The Padres selected Texas Wesleyan catcher Luis Roman in the 23rd round of the 2017 draft. A third baseman in college, he is working on transitioning behind the plate this season. So far his bat has been very good, especially on Wednesday, when he went 2-4 with a pair of home runs with 5 RBI.
GCL Astros @ GCL Nationals GCL Blue Jays @ GCL Tigers East GCL Cardinals @ GCL Mets GCL Phillies West @ GCL Yankees West GCL Tigers West @ GCL Phillies East GCL Yankees East @ GCL Pirates
Next: Today's Birthdays/history
Vero Beach, Fla.: Ron Fairly of the Dodgers is shown smiling in this closeup during spring training. /
Birthdays today
Without a Hall of Famer born today, we’ll honor the guy who had the longest MLB career of any player born today, and one that’s hitting a milestone birthday today, as he turns 80 years old.
Ron Fairly was originally signed by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1958, and 10 years later was part of a big deal that brought Manny Mota and Maury Wills back to the Dodgers from the Montreal Expos after the expansion draft had taken them from the Dodgers roster.
Fairly was never a guy who put up some of the “sexy” numbers, but in the modern game, he would have been much more appreciated, as he was known for an excellent eye at the plate. He had a .360 career OBP, but he posted four seasons of .400+ over the course of his career.
Considered an elite defensive first baseman, Fairly made two All-Star games, and his reputation with the glove along with his nearly 2,000 career hits did get him on the Hall of Fame ballot for two turns, but he fell off after 1985.
When his playing career ended, Fairly did not leave the game, becoming a radio broadcaster, most well known for his time as the voice of the Seattle Mariners from 1993-2006.
While the two split their 28 career matchups, on this day in 1905, Three-Finger Brown wins the first of 9 consecutive victories in matchups with Christy Mathewson.
A simple fly ball behind the third base bag falls in between three Braves, and that is the only base runner of the game against Johnny Sain.
After a classic Veeck promotion, this one by Mike, the White Sox are forced to forfeit the second game of a 1979 doubleheader after fans refuse to leave the field after “Disco Demolition Night” between games.
Kirby Puckett announces his retirement in 1996 due to glaucoma.
