Let’s dive into the latest MLB news and notes, including the benches clearing between the Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago White Sox, plus the hits just keep coming for Jose Ramirez of the Cleveland Guardians.
MLB news: Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago White Sox exchange words in finale
After a play at the plate involving Pittsburgh shortstop Oneil Cruz and Chicago catcher Seby Zavala, the two teams exchanged words after Cruz suffered an ankle injury that would force him from the game. It marked the second consecutive series where the White Sox got into a scrape with the opposing team, following some tense moments at home against the San Francisco Giants.
Benches cleared in Pittsburgh! pic.twitter.com/CBiJzLciX6
— White Sox Talk (@NBCSWhiteSox) April 9, 2023
With Cruz already out, Zavala was also removed from the game in the seventh for pinch hitter Yasmani Grandal, who stayed in the game from there as the team’s catcher.
Following the game, the news was not good for Cruz, who was helped from the field without being able to put any pressure on the injured leg.
Pirates manager Derek Shelton said Oneil Cruz has a fractured left ankle, a result of the home plate collision that forced the 6-foot-7 shortstop to leave the game in the sixth inning.
— Kevin Gorman (@KevinGormanPGH) April 9, 2023
Pittsburgh would go on to take the game by a 1-0 score, winning the three-game series while paying a heavy price.
MLB news: Jose Ramirez of Cleveland Guardians joins impressive company
With his sixth-inning single on Sunday, Ramirez has at least one hit in each of Cleveland’s 10 first games to start the season. That puts him into some elite company in the franchise record books.
José Ramírez is the 2nd player in Cleveland history to begin multiple seasons with hit streaks of 10+ games, joining Nap Lajoie
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) April 9, 2023
and it just so happens both did it in consecutive seasons!
Ramírez:
2023: 10, active
2022: 12
Lajoie:
1912: 15
1911: 13
Dating back to last season, Ramirez has now hit in 15 consecutive games and has six doubles, one triple, one home run and 11 RBI during the stretch. He currently sits at 293 career doubles, just three away from tying Charlie Jamieson (296) for seventh-most in that category in Cleveland history.
Ramirez signed an extension less than a year ago that will keep the talented third baseman in the organization through the 2028 season.