WASHINGTON, D.C. - JULY 16: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after winning the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Nationals Park on Monday, July 16, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Bryce Harper
WASHINGTON, D.C. – JULY 16: Bryce Harper #34 of the Washington Nationals celebrates after winning the T-Mobile Home Run Derby at Nationals Park on Monday, July 16, 2018 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) *** Bryce Harper /
The Home Run Derby ended with a hometown win, 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.
Home Run Derby, Round 2 Kyle Schwarber defeated Rhys Hoskins, 21-20 Bryce Harper defeated Max Muncy, 13-12
Home Run Derby, Championship Bryce Harper defeated Kyle Schwarber, 19-18
Top Pitcher
None
Top Hitter
Bryce Harper only won by one each time, but that was because he was the second to go in each round, knowing what he needed to win, and other than the final round, he finished with plenty of time on the clock to move on to the next round. He became the third player to win the home run derby in his home park. For intriguing consideration, Harper hit 45 home runs on the evening while Schwarber hit 55 to win his rounds.
Today’s Game to Watch
The MLB All-Star Game will be broadcast on Fox, beginning at 7:30 PM Eastern.
Next: AA/AAA
AAA Featured Performer
Many Angels fans were not pleased when the team traded away C.J. Cron in the offseason for what seemed to be a fairly underwhelming return. That return was Luis Rengifo, and Rengifo has been working to change those minds, one spectacular play at a time this year. On Monday, Rengifo went 3-4 with a triple, 2 RBI, 3 runs scored, and a walk to excite the Salt Lake lineup.
Today’s AAA Game to Watch
Austin Gomber has pushed himself forward to the top of Cardinals consideration for their next call-up. He takes on Iowa as the future big league rivals will face off Tuesday night in Memphis.
AAA International League
Durham Bulls @ Syracuse Chiefs Pawtucket PawSox @ Charlotte Knights Indianapolis Indians @ Gwinnett Stripers Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs @ Columbus Clippers Louisville Bats @ Rochester Red Wings Norfolk Tides @ Buffalo Bisons Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders @ Toledo Mud Hens
AAA Pacific Coast League
Iowa Cubs @ Memphis Redbirds Oklahoma City Dodgers @ New Orleans Baby Cakes, Game 1 New Orleans Baby Cakes @ Oklahoma City Dodgers, Game 2 Omaha Storm Chasers @ Nashville Sounds El Paso Chihuahuas @ Albuquerque Isotopes Round Rock Express @ Colorado Springs Sky Sox Las Vegas 51s @ Salt Lake Bees Sacramento River Cats @ Fresno Grizzlies Tacoma Rainiers @ Reno Aces
AA Featured Performer
Once vilified in the Marlins system for poor judgment in antics in the clubhouse, Josh Naylor has really redefined himself this season. He’s significantly slimmer, more agile at first base and even able to handle time in the outfield, and his bat has also responded, as he’s hitting .317/.403/.479 on the season. Monday, he didn’t go deep, but he was impactful as he went 2-4 with a pair of doubles, driving in 3 runs and drawing a walk for San Antonio.
Today’s AA Game to Watch
Two surprising performances in the Eastern League square off Tuesday night as Liarvis Breto and Erie travel to Richmond to take on Jake McCasland.
Midland RockHounds @ San Antonio Missions Northwest Arkansas Naturals @ Springfield Cardinals Arkansas Travelers @ Tulsa Drillers Frisco RoughRiders @ Corpus Christi Hooks
Next: high-A/low-A
high-A Featured Performer
Slugging first baseman Sandber Pimentel is in his third season with Stockton, but he’s having his worst struggles so far this year, hitting just .219 on the season. Monday night, however, he had a big game, as he went 3-5 with a pair of home runs and 3 RBI.
Today’s high-A Game to Watch
One of the fastest-moving prospects in the Yankees system, rocketing to the top of the team’s prospect list, has been Garrett Whitlock. He and his Tampa teammates travel to Charlotte on Tuesday evening.
California League
No games scheduled
Carolina League
No games scheduled
Florida State League
Florida Fire Frogs @ Dunedin Blue Jays Jupiter Hammerheads @ Bradenton Marauders Lakeland Flying Tigers @ Palm Beach Cardinals Tampa Tarpons @ Charlotte Stone Crabs Daytona Tortugas @ Clearwater Threshers St. Lucie Mets @ Fort Myers Miracle
low-A Featured Performer
Tall and lanky, Pedro Gonzalez strikes an impression on anyone watching him cover the outfield or run the bases, but that length has been a hindrance in his swing at times. When he does get ahold of one, though, it’s impressive, and he showed that Monday night. Gonzalez went just 1-4 against Charleston, but his solo home run was a no-doubt shot that left the stadium in an absolute hurry.
Today’s low-A Game to Watch
Jackson Kowar was roughed up in his pro debut with Lexington, but he will get another shot on the road against Greenville on Tuesday morning.
Midwest League
No games scheduled
South Atlantic League
Asheville Tourists @ Greensboro Grasshoppers Columbia Fireflies @ Lakewood BlueClaws Delmarva Shorebirds @ West Virginia Power Hagerstown Suns @ Kannapolis Intimidators Hickory Crawdads @ Charleston RiverDogs Lexington Legends @ Greenville Drive Rome Braves @ Augusta GreenJackets, Game 1 Rome Braves @ Augusta GreenJackets, Game 2
Next: Short Season/Advanced Rookie
Short Season Featured Performer
The Cubs were enthralled with their selection of Nelson Velazquez in the 5th round of the 2017 draft, so much so that they pushed Velazquez up to the low-A level to open the season with horrid results. Nelson went back to extended spring and is with Eugene, where he’s still working to find his swing in the pro game. Monday night, Velazquez went deep, going 1-4 with a 2-run home run and a walk.
Today’s Short-Season New York-Penn League schedule
Mahoning Valley Scrappers @ Auburn Doubledays Aberdeen IronBirds @ Lowell Spinners Brooklyn Cyclones @ Tri-City ValleyCats Batavia Muckdogs @ Williamsport Crosscutters State College Spikes @ West Virginia Black Bears Connecticut Tigers @ Hudson Valley Renegades Staten Island Yankees @ Vermont Lake Monsters
With three big-time college arms selected with their first three picks, the Royals grabbing a very solid college bat in Kyle Isbel seemed to fly under radar. The way he’s hitting with Idaho Falls, he could end up in full-season ball by the end of the year, as he’s currently slashing .381/.454/.610. On Monday against missoula, he went 4-5 with a double and two home runs, driving in 4 runs.
Today’s Advanced Rookie Appalachian League schedule
No games scheduled
Today’s Advanced Rookie Pioneer League schedule
No games scheduled
Next: Rookie Ball Schedules
Rookie Ball Featured Performer
One of the top prospects in the 2017 July 2nd class, Kristian Robinson is looking to make a big name for his home country, coming from the Bahamas. On Monday, he hit his first professional home run in the 10th inning, a 3-run shot that sealed a win for his AZL D-backs squad.
GCL Pirates @ GCL Blue Jays GCL Twins @ GCL Orioles GCL Yankees West @ GCL Phillies East GCL Braves @ GCL Tigers East GCL Mets @ GCL Cardinals GCL Nationals @ GCL Astros GCL Rays @ GCL Red Sox GCL Tigers West @ GCL Yankees East
Next: Today's Birthdays/history
UNDATED: Lou Boudreau of the Cleveland Indians poses for an action portrait. Lou Boudreau played for the Indians from 1938-1950. (Photo by Photo File/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /
Birthdays today
When a guy has a grouping of nicknames that include “Handsomne Lou” or “The Good Kid,” you know he’s got some good things going for him. Lou Boudreau was that type of player and eventually manager as well.
Boudreau broke into the majors with a couple cups of coffee in 1938 and 1939, but he took over the full-time shortstop job in Cleveland in 1940, and he went on to drive in 101 runs and finish 5th in the MVP voting in his first full year in the league. He would be one of the best hitters in the entire major leagues during the decade of the 1940s, winning the batting title in the AL in 1944, and winning the MVP in 1948, when he hit .355/.453/.534 with a career-high 18 home runs and 106 RBI for the Indians. He faced injuries and was never quite the same player again. He was out of the league as a player by 1952.
However, Boudreau had managed while he played in Cleveland throughout the 1940s, and when he went to the Red Sox for his final years, he simply moved into a managerial role there. Boudreau found a few more chances to manage, but he ended up managing his last game with the Chicago Cubs in 1960, finishing his managerial career with 1,162 wins, including the 1948 World Series championship.
Boudreau was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1970. He would have been 101 today, but he passed away in 2001 at age 84.
Christy Mathewson makes his debut in 1900 on this day, though it does not go well. Working in relief, Mathewson hits 3 batters, walks 2, and allows 6 runs.
Connie Mack has to bail out his star pitcher Rube Waddell from jail after Waddell assaults a critical fan in 1903.
Rube Marquard and Babe Adams each went 21 innings before a 2-run home run gives the Giants a 3-1 victory.
Joe DiMaggio‘s hitting streak snaps at 56 games on this day in 1941.
Whitey Ford wins his first major league game for the Yankees on this day in 1950.
Ford Frick decrees in 1961, amid sportswriter pressure, that Babe Ruth‘s 60 home runs in 1927 would remain the record unless someone would hit 61 in the first 154 games of the season.
Legendary Walter Alston wins his 2,000th game at the helm of the Dodgers in 1976.
The 1990 Minnesota Twins pull off something no team had done before when they turn two triple plays in the same game against the Red Sox, though they still lose 1-0.
