LOS ANGELES, CA - AUGUST 20: Bud Norris #26 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts to striking out Yasmani Grandal #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning of a game at Dodger Stadium on August 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – AUGUST 20: Bud Norris #26 of the St. Louis Cardinals reacts to striking out Yasmani Grandal #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers during the ninth inning of a game at Dodger Stadium on August 20, 2018 in Los Angeles, California. The St. Louis Cardinals defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-3. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) /
The St. Louis Cardinals spoiled Kenley Jansen’s , 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
Atlanta Braves 1, Pittsburgh Pirates 0 in Pittsburgh – The Atlanta Braves scored a run in the first inning to back Bryse Wilson in his MLB debut, and they made it stand up for the win Monday night.
Toronto Blue Jays 5, Baltimore Orioles 3 in Baltimore – The Blue Jays put up 4 runs in the bottom of the 5th inning to put the game out of reach at home on Monday night as Kendrys Morales banged out two home runs.
Cleveland Indians 5, Boston Red Sox 4 in Boston – In what could be an October matchup, the Indians held off a late Red Sox rally to get Corey Kluber his 16th win in spite of struggling early.
Tampa Bay Rays 1, Kansas City Royals 0 in Tampa Bay – Ryan Yarbrough continued to be one of the biggest benefactors of the Rays “opener” system, earning his 12th win on the year, though he certainly earned this one, going 5 1/3 innings and striking out 6.
San Francisco Giants 2, New York Mets 1, 13 innings in New York – A 13-inning battle was decided by an error on a long-time first baseman playing in left field as the Giants escaped with a win Monday.
Chicago White Sox 8, Minnesota Twins 5 in Minnesota – The debut of Twins starter Stephen Gonsalves did not go as planned as the White Sox scored 4 runs off of him in the top of the 2nd inning en route to a road victory.
Milwaukee Brewers 5, Cincinnati Reds 2 in Milwaukee – The Reds scored first, but the Brewers got to the Reds from the 5th inning on to take home the victory behind a pair of home runs from Christian Yelich and Travis Shaw.
Oakland Athletics 9, Texas Rangers 0 in Oakland – Mike Fiers made a tremendous start for the A’s and Ramon Laureano pounded out a pair of home runs.
Seattle Mariners 7, Houston Astros 4 in Seattle – King Felix wasn’t masterful, but he gave the Mariners just enough to get to their dominant bullpen, and the offense put up 14 hits.
St. Louis Cardinals 5, Los Angeles Dodgers 3 in Los Angeles – A true back-and-forth battle was settled in the top of the 9th when the Cardinals spoiled Kenley Jansen‘s return to the Dodgers.
Top Pitcher
Oakland has been boosted by surprising pitching all season long, and their most recent acquisition simply added to that list on Monday, as Mike Fiers tossed 7 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk, striking out 8.
Top Hitter
The Mariners are in an absolute dogfight for the opportunity to make the playoffs. The return of Robinson Cano to the lineup is going to make getting to the playoffs a more likely possibility, even if he cannot participate in the playoffs. Cano went 3-5 on Monday, knocking out 3 extra base hits with a pair of doubles and a home run, driving in 3 runs.
Today’s Game to Watch
The Twins and White Sox may not have anything to play for, but Tuesday’s game is a big one as the Twins send their ace, Jose Berrios, against the Pale Hose, who will be sending rookie Michael Kopech to the mound for his first major league start.
AAA Featured Performer
The Dodgers do a great job developing power guys up and down the draft. Kyle Garlick was originally a 28th round draft pick in 2015, but he’s had a big year this year, pounding out his 21st home run on Monday night.
Today’s AAA Game to Watch
Lewis Thorpe has made one start for Rochester, and with the Twins calling up arms for chances in the majors, he has a chance to earn his way to the majors with a big showing in AAA. He and the Red Wings face off against Pawtucket on Tuesday.
AAA International League
Gwinnett Stripers @ Durham Bulls, Game 1 Durham Bulls @ Gwinnett Stripers, Game 2 Toledo Mud Hens @ Louisville Bats Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs @ Syracuse Chiefs Charlotte Knights @ Norfolk Tides, Game 1 Charlotte Knights @ Norfolk Tides, Game 2 Columbus Clippers @ Indianapolis Indians Pawtucket PawSox @ Rochester Red Wings, Game 1 Pawtucket PawSox @ Rochester Red Wings, Game 2 Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders @ Buffalo Bisons
AAA Pacific Coast League
Memphis Redbirds @ New Orleans Baby Cakes Nashville Sounds @ Round Rock Express Omaha Storm Chasers @ Oklahoma City Dodgers Albuquerque Isotopes @ El Paso Chihuahuas Iowa Cubs @ Colorado Springs Sky Sox Reno Aces @ Tacoma Rainiers Fresno Grizzlies @ Sacramento River Cats Salt Lake Bees @ Las Vegas 51s
AA Featured Performer
Originally a 13th round pick out of Missouri in 2015, Josh Lester has slowly progressed up the Tigers system. He went 3-4 on Monday and powered out a pair of home runs, giving him 15 for the year.
Today’s AA Game to Watch
Diamondabacks prospect Taylor Widener will hope to even his record on the season for Jackson, as he sits at 5-6 in spite of a sterling 2.69 ERA. He’ll travel with the Generals to Tennessee Tuesday night.
Mississippi Braves @ Mobile BayBears, Game 1 Mississippi Braves @ Mobile BayBears, Game 2 Pensacola Blue Wahoos @ Biloxi Shuckers Jackson Generals @ Tennessee Smokies Birmingham Barons @ Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp Chattanooga Lookouts @ Montgomery Biscuits
AA Texas League
Midland RockHounds @ Corpus Christi Hooks Springfield Cardinals @ Northwest Arkansas Naturals Frisco RoughRiders @ San Antonio Missions Tulsa Drillers @ Arkansas Travelers
high-A Featured Performer
A 32nd round pick out of Hartford last summer, David MacKinnon worked his way up to high-A this season and has been showing excellent on base skills all season. On Monday, he flashed his power, driving out a 3-run home run.
Today’s high-A Game to Watch
Blue Jays prospect Connor Eller has had a solid season for Dunedin, but he matches up with Phillies stud arm Ramon Rosso, who has been dominant for Clearwater in a 7 PM game.
California League
Inland Empire 66ers @ Lake Elsinore Lancaster JetHawks @ Rancho Cucamonga Quakes San Jose Giants @ Visalia Rawhide Modesto Nuts @ Stockton Ports
Carolina League
Myrtle Beach Pelicans @ Winston-Salem Dash, Game 1 Myrtle Beach Pelicans @ Winston-Salem Dash, Game 2 Carolina Mudcats @ Buies Creek Astros Potomac Nationals @ Lynchburg Hillcats Down East Wood Ducks @ Wilmington Blue Rocks Frederick Keys @ Salem Red Sox
Florida State League
Tampa Tarpons @ St. Lucie Mets Charlotte Stone Crabs @ Bradenton Marauders Fort Myers Miracle @ Palm Beach Cardinals Jupiter Hammerheads @ Florida Fire Frogs Dunedin Blue Jays @ Clearwater Threshers Lakeland Flying Tigers @ Daytona Tortugas
low-A Featured Performer
Widely considered one of the best high school bats in the 2018 draft class, Nolan Gorman somehow fell to the middle of the first round to the Cardinals, and he’s been making sure everyone who passed on him is regretting it with his performance. With 15 home runs between advanced rookie ball and low-A, he’s really knocking the ball around, and he continued on Monday, powering out a pair of home runs.
Today’s low-A Game to Watch
Jake Elliot has had a solid season for Kannapolis this year, with a 3.22 ERA. He and Kannapolis host Greensboro for a doublehader on Tuesday, and Elliot takes the hill in the first game.
Midwest League
South Bend Cubs @ Lake County Captains Dayton Dragons @ West Michigan Whitecaps Fort Wayne TinCaps @ Great Lakes Loons Peoria Chiefs @ Kane County Cougars Clinton LumberKings @ Burlington Bees Lansing Lugnuts @ Bowling Green Hot Rods Cedar Rapids Kernels @ Beloit Snappers Quad Cities River Bandits @ Wisconsin Timber Rattlers
South Atlantic League
Columbia Fireflies @ Hagerstown Suns Greensboro Grasshoppers @ Kannapolis Intimidators, Game 1 Greensboro Grasshoppers @ Kannapolis Intimidators, Game 2 Lexington Legends @ Lakewood BlueClaws Charleston RiverDogs @ West Virginia Power Hickory Crawdads @ Greenville Drive Rome Braves @ Delmarva Shorebirds Augusta GreenJackets @ Asheville Tourists
Short Season Featured Performer
Most 10th round picks are college guys that max out at organizational depth. Cade Harris is giving the Rockies a glimps that he could be much more than that, with a .276/.418/.455 line along with 8 home runs and 13 stolen bases. He had a big Monday, going 3-4 with a home run and 3 RBI and also stealing a base.
Today’s Short Season New York-Penn League schedule
Mahoning Valley Scrappers @ Auburn Doubledays Lowell Spinners @ Staten Island Yankees Brooklyn Cyclones @ Tri-City ValleyCats Hudson Valley Renegades @ Connecticut Tigers Aberdeen IronBirds @ Vermont Lake Monsters Batavia Muckdogs @ West Virginia Black Bears State College Spikes @ Williamsport Crosscutters
When Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. tore up the Appy League, everyone took notice. Wander Franco is making Vlad’s work look just solid with his incredible production. He bumped his average up to .373 with an overall .373/.436/.627 line with 10 home runs after a 3-4 night on Monday with a home run and a walk. Franco sports an incredible 24/14 BB/K and is only 17 years old.
Today’s Advanced Rookie Appalachian League schedule
Bristol Pirates @ Kingsport Mets Burlington Royals @ Johnson City Cardinals Bluefield Blue Jays @ Danville Braves Princeton Rays @ Pulaski Yankees Greeneville Reds @ Elizabethton Twins
Today’s Advanced Rookie Pioneer League schedule
Grand Junction Rockies @ Missoula Osprey, Game 1 Grand Junction Rockies @ Missoula Osprey, Game 2 Orem Owls @ Helena Brewers, Game 1 Orem Owls @ Helena Brewers, Game 2 Great Falls Voyagers @ Ogden Raptors Billings Mustangs @ Idaho Falls Chukars
Rookie Ball Featured Performer
A 26th round selection out of Virginia Tech by the Cardinals this past June, Connor Coward has been excellent whether it be in relief or starting for the GCL Cardinals. He moved his ERA down to 0.88 on the season with 5 scoreless innings, allowing 4 hits and no walks, striking out 6.
GCL Pirates @ GCL Yankees West, Game 1 GCL Yankees West @ GCL Pirates, Game 2 GCL Cardinals @ GCL Mets GCL Rays @ GCL Twins GCL Braves @ GCL Phillies East, Game 1 GCL Phillies East @ GCL Braves, Game 2 GCL Yankees East @ GCL Blue Jays, Game 1 GCL Blue Jays @ GCL Yankees East, Game 2 GCL Astros @ GCL Nationals GCL Red Sox @ GCL Orioles GCL Tigers East @ GCL Phillies West
SAN DIEGO, CA – JUNE 10: Jason Marquis #21 of the San Diego Padres waves to the fans as he leaves the game in the eighth inning of a baseball game against the Atlanta Braves at Petco Park on June 10, 2013 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
Birthdays today
Typically when there are no Hall of Fame players born on the day, we look at a top performer from the day. Instead, today we will look deeper into a player with a notable birthday today as Jason Marquis turns 40 years old today.
Marquis was originally a first round pick of the Atlanta Braves, going 35th overall in the 1996 draft out of high school in New York. He moved quickly through the Braves system, making 15 appearances in 2000.
Marquis won a rotation spot in 2001 with the Braves and pitched to a 3.48 ERA over 129 1/3 innings. He struggled over the next two seasons before the Braves included him in the deal to acquire outfielder J.D. Drew.
Marquis was a solid contributor to two playoff Cardinals teams and continued to be a league-average pitcher for multiple years, finishing his career after 2015 with 377 games, 318 of them starts, tossing 1,968 1/3 innings with a 4.61 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP.
While never an elite pitcher, Marquis did make the 2009 All-Star team while with Colorado.
In 1905, the Giants steal 5 bases in support of Christy Mathewson, as they defeat the Pirates 10-2.
Babe Ruth becomes the first major leaguer to hit 600 career home runs on this day in 1931.
The championship of the first ever Little League World Series is played on this day in 1947.
The Phillies are forced to forfeit a game on this day in 1949 when fans protest a call by an umpire by throwing glass bottles onto the field.
Rick Reuschel turns the shutout over to brother Paul Reuschel, who finishes the shutout for the Cubs over the Dodgers 6-0 on this day in 1975. It’s the first combined shutout thrown by siblings.
Rollie Fingers becomes the first man to 300 saves in 1982 on this day.
Ichiro Suzuki gets a single in 2013 to reach 4,000 combined professional hits between Japan and MLB.
