(TSX / STATS) -- SAN FRANCISCO -- When Asdrubal Cabrera dropped a bombshell on the ballclub a couple of hours before game time, the New York Mets appeared on the verge of an implosion Friday night.
Instead, they exploded, with their bats making the loudest statement of the night.
Yoenis Cespedes highlighted a six-run second inning with a two-run homer, helping the Mets brush aside a Cabrera trade demand and a four-game losing streak with an 11-4 victory over the staggering San Francisco Giants.
"Very impressed," Mets manager Terry Collins said after his team's 20-hit attack. "I'm not worried about the attitude of my club. Today was an unfortunate situation. We'll get through it."
Cespedes, Cabrera, Wilmer Flores, Michael Conforto and Lucas Duda had three hits apiece for the Mets, whose hit total equaled the club's season high, set twice previously.
Cabrera's big offensive game, which included two runs scored, came shortly after he made his intentions known to reporters that he was planning to request a trade.
The second-year Met was unhappy to find out he'd be starting the game at second base in his return from the disabled list, having lost his shortstop spot to Jose Reyes.
"I just want to talk about the game," Cabrera said afterward.
He had plenty to talk about, including two flares to right field that dropped for hits in his first two at-bats off the DL.
"I got a couple to fall in right field. Then I hit one hard to shortstop and he made the play. This game is crazy," he said.
"We have a good hitting team. We can do this."
Cabrera fielded four grounders flawlessly and teamed with Reyes on a double play, none of which surprised Collins.
"I know he can play second base," the manager said. "I understand he's not happy playing there. But he's a professional. There were no lingering effects (of the pregame demands)."
Duda also homered for the Mets, who were coming off a four-game sweep against the Los Angeles Dodgers and began the night a season-worst 10 games below .500.
The two homers gave the Mets 22 in their last 12 games.
The Mets teed off on Giants left-hander Ty Blach (4-5), who was facing New York for the first time.
"Tonight he was off," Giants manager Bruce Bochy said. "He couldn't get out of that inning."
Winning pitcher Seth Lugo helped get the big second inning rolling with an RBI double that plated Duda with the run that broke a 1-1 tie.
Cespedes' homer, his ninth of the season, made it 5-1 four batters later. It was his fifth home run in seven games against the Giants since the start of last season.
Flores, Conforto and Travis d'Arnaud followed with successive doubles, completing the six-run uprising.
Duda's homer, his 13th, came against the Giants fourth pitcher, left-hander Josh Osich, in the seventh inning and completed New York's scoring.
Cespedes, who also doubled in a three-run sixth inning, finished with three RBIs, and Flores and Conforto had two apiece for the Mets, who had lost eight of their previous 10 games.
"That three-spot kind of knocked us out of it," Bochy said of the Mets' tack-on that increased their lead to 10-1. "When you get down that much in this part, it's tough sledding."
Lugo (2-1) won for the second time in three starts, allowing four runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings. He walked three and struck out two.
Gorkys Hernandez had a two-run single in a three-run sixth inning for the Giants, who lost for the 10th time in their last 11 games.
Denard Span, Joe Panik and Austin Slater had two hits apiece for the Giants, who were coming off a 1-7 trip on which their pitchers posted a 7.94 ERA.
Blach left for a pinch hitter after having surrendered seven runs and 11 hits in three laborious innings during which he threw 80 pitches. He walked one and did not record a strikeout.
The career-high 11 hits allowed increased Blach's total in June to a major league-leading 44. Teammate Matt Cain had been tied for the lead at the start of the day with 36.
NOTES: The Mets' 20 hits were their most ever at AT&T Park. The 11 runs tied their previous high in the stadium's 18-year history. ... The Mets also had 20 hits at Philadelphia on April 11 and at Atlanta on May 3. ... The Mets' top six hitting performances this season have all come on the road. ... Mets 2B Asdrubal Cabrera (sprained left thumb) had missed the club's previous 10 games. The Mets demoted 2B Gavin Cecchini to Triple-A Las Vegas to create a roster spot for Cabrera. ... The second game of the series, a nationally televised affair on FOX, features a pitching rematch from Game 2 of the 2015 World Series when Kansas City Royals RHP Johnny Cueto outdueled Mets RHP Jacob deGrom in a 7-1 win. Cueto pitches now for the Giants. ... Giants LHP Madison Bumgarner (separated left shoulder) has been scheduled for a second simulated game in Arizona on Sunday. He could begin an injury-rehab stint in the minor leagues next week.
Saturday, June 24, 2017
NHL Draft Day 1 Results (Round 1)
Round One
New Jersey Devils: Nico Hischier (C) – Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Philadelphia Flyers: Nolan Patrick (C) – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Dallas Stars: Miro Heiskanen (D) – HIFK (Finland)
Colorado Avalanche: Cale Makar (D) – Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
Vancouver Canucks: Elias Pettersson (C) – Timra (Sweden)
Vegas Golden Knights: Cody Glass (C) – Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
New York Rangers (from AZ): Lias Andersson (C) – HV71 (Sweden)
Buffalo Sabres: Casey Mittelstadt (C) – Eden Prairie High School
Detroit Red Wings: Michael Rasmussen (C) – Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Florida Panthers: Owen Tippett (RW) – Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
Los Angeles Kings: Gabe Vilardi (C) – Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Carolina Hurricanes: Martin Necas (C) – Brno (Czech)
Vegas Golden Knights (from WPG): Nick Suzuki (C/RW) – Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
Tampa Bay Lightning: Cal Foote (D) – Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Vegas Golden Knights (from NYI): Erik Brannstrom (D) – HV71 (Sweden)
Calgary Flames: Juuso Valimaki (D) – Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Toronto Maple Leafs: Timothy Liljegren (D) – Rogle (Sweden)
Boston Bruins: Urho Vaakanainen (D) – JYP (Finland)
San Jose Sharks: Josh Norris (C) – USA U-18 National Development Program
St. Louis Blues: Robert Thomas (C/RW) – London Knights (OHL)
New York Rangers: Filip Chytil (C/LW) – Zlin (Czech)
Edmonton Oilers: Kailer Yamamoto (RW) – Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
Arizona Coyotes (from MIN): Pierre-Olivier Joseph (D) – Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
Winnipeg Jets (from CLB via VGK): Kristian Vesalainen (LW) – Frolunda (Sweden)
Montreal Canadiens: Ryan Poehling (C) – St. Cloud State (NCAA)
Dallas Stars (from CHI): Jake Oettinger (G) – Boston University (NCAA)
Philadelphia Flyers (from STL): Morgan Frost (C) – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Ottawa Senators: Shane Bowers (C) – Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
Chicago Blackhawks (from DAL via ANA): Henri Jokiharju (D) – Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Nashville Predators: Eeli Tolvanen (LW/RW) – Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
St. Louis (from PIT): Klim Kostin (LW/RW) – Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
New Jersey Devils: Nico Hischier (C) – Halifax Mooseheads (QMJHL)
Philadelphia Flyers: Nolan Patrick (C) – Brandon Wheat Kings (WHL)
Dallas Stars: Miro Heiskanen (D) – HIFK (Finland)
Colorado Avalanche: Cale Makar (D) – Brooks Bandits (AJHL)
Vancouver Canucks: Elias Pettersson (C) – Timra (Sweden)
Vegas Golden Knights: Cody Glass (C) – Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
New York Rangers (from AZ): Lias Andersson (C) – HV71 (Sweden)
Buffalo Sabres: Casey Mittelstadt (C) – Eden Prairie High School
Detroit Red Wings: Michael Rasmussen (C) – Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Florida Panthers: Owen Tippett (RW) – Mississauga Steelheads (OHL)
Los Angeles Kings: Gabe Vilardi (C) – Windsor Spitfires (OHL)
Carolina Hurricanes: Martin Necas (C) – Brno (Czech)
Vegas Golden Knights (from WPG): Nick Suzuki (C/RW) – Owen Sound Attack (OHL)
Tampa Bay Lightning: Cal Foote (D) – Kelowna Rockets (WHL)
Vegas Golden Knights (from NYI): Erik Brannstrom (D) – HV71 (Sweden)
Calgary Flames: Juuso Valimaki (D) – Tri-City Americans (WHL)
Toronto Maple Leafs: Timothy Liljegren (D) – Rogle (Sweden)
Boston Bruins: Urho Vaakanainen (D) – JYP (Finland)
San Jose Sharks: Josh Norris (C) – USA U-18 National Development Program
St. Louis Blues: Robert Thomas (C/RW) – London Knights (OHL)
New York Rangers: Filip Chytil (C/LW) – Zlin (Czech)
Edmonton Oilers: Kailer Yamamoto (RW) – Spokane Chiefs (WHL)
Arizona Coyotes (from MIN): Pierre-Olivier Joseph (D) – Charlottetown Islanders (QMJHL)
Winnipeg Jets (from CLB via VGK): Kristian Vesalainen (LW) – Frolunda (Sweden)
Montreal Canadiens: Ryan Poehling (C) – St. Cloud State (NCAA)
Dallas Stars (from CHI): Jake Oettinger (G) – Boston University (NCAA)
Philadelphia Flyers (from STL): Morgan Frost (C) – Sault Ste. Marie Greyhounds (OHL)
Ottawa Senators: Shane Bowers (C) – Waterloo Black Hawks (USHL)
Chicago Blackhawks (from DAL via ANA): Henri Jokiharju (D) – Portland Winterhawks (WHL)
Nashville Predators: Eeli Tolvanen (LW/RW) – Sioux City Musketeers (USHL)
St. Louis (from PIT): Klim Kostin (LW/RW) – Dynamo Moscow (KHL)
Yankees top Rangers in battle of Japanese pitchers
(TSX / STATS) -- NEW YORK -- The New York Yankees were delighted to see Masahiro Tanaka go toe to toe with Yu Darvish.
An even better sight was watching Ronald Torreyes deliver the game-winning hit.
Tanaka pitched eight scoreless innings during his first major league appearance against Darvish and Torreyes singled with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting the Yankees to a 2-1 win over the Texas Rangers.
Although Tanaka took a no-decision and is winless in his last eight starts since May 9, he looked more like the pitcher who tossed a three-hitter at Fenway Park while opposing Chris Sale on April 27 than the pitcher who began the game with a 6.34 ERA.
"Everything," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said of what was working for Tanaka.
Tanaka allowed three hits, threw first-pitch strikes to 25 of 27 hitters and retired 16 straight at one point from the third to the eighth.
Darvish was even better, though he exited after the seventh because of triceps tightness. Darvish said he began feeling it in the fourth inning but said he should be able to make his next start.
Before exiting, Darvish tied a season high with 10 strikeouts and allowed two hits. Two of his strikeouts were to slugger Aaron Judge, who struck out on a 72 mph curveball in the first and a 95 mph fastball in the seventh.
"They were two brilliant Japanese pitchers that had faced off before, been stars in the Japanese league and they're stars here," Texas manager Jeff Banister said.
It was the 15th game in major league history involving two pitchers from Japan. Seven of those games have involved the Yankees and three occurred against Darvish, who opposed Hiroki Kuroda in 2012 and 2013.
"We both pitched great," Darvish said through an interpreter. "So there may be something, but I was trying to focus on my pitching."
While it was the first time Darvish and Tanaka faced each other in the majors, it was the fifth overall matchup. They opposed each other four times in Japan, and in the last meeting on July 20, 2011, both pitchers went the distance.
"It was amazing," Yankees reliever Chasen Shreve said. "We were waiting for it and we know he has it, so it was great to see."
After Tanaka and Darvish were finished, the Yankees won for only the second time in 10 games when Torreyes lined a 98 mph fastball from Matt Bush (3-2) up the middle.
It was the first career game-ending hit for the infielder, who raised his arms, dropped his helmet and was lifted by a teammate after reaching first base.
"Super happy to able to get a hit in that inning," Torreyes said through an interpreter. "It's great."
Before Torreyes won it, the Rangers were two outs from getting a 1-0 victory when Elvis Andrus scored on a passed ball by Gary Sanchez while Adrian Beltre struck out against Aroldis Chapman.
Instead, Brett Gardner tied it by hitting a 2-1 fastball from Bush into the right-field seats. After Gardner's 14th home run, Aaron Judge chopped a single up the middle just out of shortstop Andrus' range.
The Yankees were unable to get the winning run as Bush struck out Matt Holliday but won the game after Shreve (2-1) worked out of a bases-loaded jam by getting Andrus on a popup after striking out Joey Gallo with two on.
The game was delayed one hour and 42 minutes, but it was worth the wait for the 39,602 fans at Yankee Stadium and fans watching in Japan 13 hours ahead of New York's time zone.
NOTES: Texas LHP Cole Hamels (oblique) threw a bullpen session before the game and could start Monday in Cleveland. ... Yankees 3B Chase Headley (back spasms) missed his second straight game and is unlikely to play Saturday. ... Texas LHP Martin Perez may miss his next scheduled start after tearing his right thumbnail and fracturing the top of the bone. ... New York CF Jacoby Ellsbury (concussion) took batting practice again and could appear in rehab games shortly.
An even better sight was watching Ronald Torreyes deliver the game-winning hit.
Tanaka pitched eight scoreless innings during his first major league appearance against Darvish and Torreyes singled with two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, lifting the Yankees to a 2-1 win over the Texas Rangers.
Although Tanaka took a no-decision and is winless in his last eight starts since May 9, he looked more like the pitcher who tossed a three-hitter at Fenway Park while opposing Chris Sale on April 27 than the pitcher who began the game with a 6.34 ERA.
"Everything," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said of what was working for Tanaka.
Tanaka allowed three hits, threw first-pitch strikes to 25 of 27 hitters and retired 16 straight at one point from the third to the eighth.
Darvish was even better, though he exited after the seventh because of triceps tightness. Darvish said he began feeling it in the fourth inning but said he should be able to make his next start.
Before exiting, Darvish tied a season high with 10 strikeouts and allowed two hits. Two of his strikeouts were to slugger Aaron Judge, who struck out on a 72 mph curveball in the first and a 95 mph fastball in the seventh.
"They were two brilliant Japanese pitchers that had faced off before, been stars in the Japanese league and they're stars here," Texas manager Jeff Banister said.
It was the 15th game in major league history involving two pitchers from Japan. Seven of those games have involved the Yankees and three occurred against Darvish, who opposed Hiroki Kuroda in 2012 and 2013.
"We both pitched great," Darvish said through an interpreter. "So there may be something, but I was trying to focus on my pitching."
While it was the first time Darvish and Tanaka faced each other in the majors, it was the fifth overall matchup. They opposed each other four times in Japan, and in the last meeting on July 20, 2011, both pitchers went the distance.
"It was amazing," Yankees reliever Chasen Shreve said. "We were waiting for it and we know he has it, so it was great to see."
After Tanaka and Darvish were finished, the Yankees won for only the second time in 10 games when Torreyes lined a 98 mph fastball from Matt Bush (3-2) up the middle.
It was the first career game-ending hit for the infielder, who raised his arms, dropped his helmet and was lifted by a teammate after reaching first base.
"Super happy to able to get a hit in that inning," Torreyes said through an interpreter. "It's great."
Before Torreyes won it, the Rangers were two outs from getting a 1-0 victory when Elvis Andrus scored on a passed ball by Gary Sanchez while Adrian Beltre struck out against Aroldis Chapman.
Instead, Brett Gardner tied it by hitting a 2-1 fastball from Bush into the right-field seats. After Gardner's 14th home run, Aaron Judge chopped a single up the middle just out of shortstop Andrus' range.
The Yankees were unable to get the winning run as Bush struck out Matt Holliday but won the game after Shreve (2-1) worked out of a bases-loaded jam by getting Andrus on a popup after striking out Joey Gallo with two on.
The game was delayed one hour and 42 minutes, but it was worth the wait for the 39,602 fans at Yankee Stadium and fans watching in Japan 13 hours ahead of New York's time zone.
NOTES: Texas LHP Cole Hamels (oblique) threw a bullpen session before the game and could start Monday in Cleveland. ... Yankees 3B Chase Headley (back spasms) missed his second straight game and is unlikely to play Saturday. ... Texas LHP Martin Perez may miss his next scheduled start after tearing his right thumbnail and fracturing the top of the bone. ... New York CF Jacoby Ellsbury (concussion) took batting practice again and could appear in rehab games shortly.
Thursday, June 22, 2017
Dodgers beat Mets for sixth straight win
(TSX / STATS) -- LOS ANGELES -- The New York Mets did not need a reminder that they are struggling. The Los Angeles Dodgers' Yasiel Puig gave them one anyway, and they didn't take kindly to it.
Puig hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning, and left-hander Rich Hill rebounded from a poor effort to pace the Dodgers to an 8-2 win over the Mets on Wednesday.
The Dodgers (47-26) earned their sixth straight win and moved past the Colorado Rockies for first place in the National League West.
It was the way the controversial Puig acted after his home run that bothered the Mets (31-40), who have lost six of their last seven and have fallen to a season-low nine games under .500.
The right fielder, who is appealing a one-game suspension for an indecent gesture in a game at Cleveland, crushed a 3-1 pitch by rookie Tyler Pill. He flipped his bat, paused to admire the blast and then loped to first base, exchanging words with first baseman Wilmer Flores after rounding the bag and catcher Travis d'Arnaud as he crossed the plate.
Between innings, he was met on his way back to right field by Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes and shortstop Jose Reyes. The three had a brief, animated conversation near the mound.
"I don't think he knew what's happening in respect to the game," said Flores, referring to the Mets' troubles. "We're playing horrible right now. He disrespected us. There are other ways to enjoy a home run."
Puig said, "We're hitting the ball well and a lot of home runs. If that's the way he feels, he should worry about the way they're playing.
"(Cespedes) said I should run faster and tried to give me some advice. I just don't look at it that way."
Mets manager Terry Collins declined to discuss Puig: "I don't want to get into it. We have bigger troubles than that."
The Mets have three-fifths of their rotation on the disabled list, forcing Collins to shuffle players in from Triple-A or go to the bullpen for starts. The Mets have allowed 71 runs in their past nine games, 30 to the Dodgers in the past three.
The Dodgers improved to 20-6 since May 25, and they are 28-10 in home games this year.
Yasmani Grandal hit solo home runs in the sixth and eighth innings, giving him nine long balls this season and the Dodgers 30 in their past 11 games.
"We're giving up three to four home runs a game," Collins said. "That's tough to make up. What we need right now is a well-pitched game. Tyler pitched well, but he left a pitch in the middle of the plate to Puig."
Two of the Dodgers' early runs came thanks to errors by third baseman T.J. Rivera and right fielder Jay Bruce.
Hill (4-3) -- coming off a two-inning, seven-run outing -- allowed one run on four hits and three walks while striking out eight in five innings Wednesday. Four relievers struck out seven more Mets in the last four innings.
In the first inning, Hill was greeted by Curtis Granderson's home run to center and a double by Flores. Hill struck out two of the next three hitters to escape further trouble. He worked out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the fourth, striking out Reyes, Gavin Cecchini and Pill with his sweeping curve.
The Dodgers got a run in the third thanks to a two-base throwing error by Rivera and Hill's sacrifice fly -- the veteran pitcher's first RBI since 2009.
Los Angeles blew the game open in the fourth. Cody Bellinger legged a double to right field, took third when Bruce air-mailed his throw to second and scored on Logan Forsythe's double. Pill walked Joc Pederson intentionally to get to Puig, who slugged a 3-1 pitch to left, his 13th homer of the season, for a 5-1 lead.
NOTES: The Dodgers recalled RHP Brandon Morrow from Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was 2-0 in five relief appearances earlier this season, not allowing a run while striking out seven in six innings. He replaces RHP Brock Stewart, who pitched three innings of relief Wednesday and earned a save before being optioned to the minors. ... Dodgers 1B Adrian Gonzalez says he will not rush back from his herniated disk as he did earlier this season, and he may not return until late July. Gonzalez received an epidural injection for the injury after going on the DL and is working to strengthen his back. His two trips to the DL this season were the first in his career ... Mets RHP Zach Wheeler was placed on the 10-day disabled list with biceps tendinitis. New York recalled RHPs Tyler Pill and Erik Goeddel from Triple-A Las Vegas and optioned INF Matt Reynolds (.177) to Las Vegas.
Puig hit a three-run home run in the fourth inning, and left-hander Rich Hill rebounded from a poor effort to pace the Dodgers to an 8-2 win over the Mets on Wednesday.
The Dodgers (47-26) earned their sixth straight win and moved past the Colorado Rockies for first place in the National League West.
It was the way the controversial Puig acted after his home run that bothered the Mets (31-40), who have lost six of their last seven and have fallen to a season-low nine games under .500.
The right fielder, who is appealing a one-game suspension for an indecent gesture in a game at Cleveland, crushed a 3-1 pitch by rookie Tyler Pill. He flipped his bat, paused to admire the blast and then loped to first base, exchanging words with first baseman Wilmer Flores after rounding the bag and catcher Travis d'Arnaud as he crossed the plate.
Between innings, he was met on his way back to right field by Mets left fielder Yoenis Cespedes and shortstop Jose Reyes. The three had a brief, animated conversation near the mound.
"I don't think he knew what's happening in respect to the game," said Flores, referring to the Mets' troubles. "We're playing horrible right now. He disrespected us. There are other ways to enjoy a home run."
Puig said, "We're hitting the ball well and a lot of home runs. If that's the way he feels, he should worry about the way they're playing.
"(Cespedes) said I should run faster and tried to give me some advice. I just don't look at it that way."
Mets manager Terry Collins declined to discuss Puig: "I don't want to get into it. We have bigger troubles than that."
The Mets have three-fifths of their rotation on the disabled list, forcing Collins to shuffle players in from Triple-A or go to the bullpen for starts. The Mets have allowed 71 runs in their past nine games, 30 to the Dodgers in the past three.
The Dodgers improved to 20-6 since May 25, and they are 28-10 in home games this year.
Yasmani Grandal hit solo home runs in the sixth and eighth innings, giving him nine long balls this season and the Dodgers 30 in their past 11 games.
"We're giving up three to four home runs a game," Collins said. "That's tough to make up. What we need right now is a well-pitched game. Tyler pitched well, but he left a pitch in the middle of the plate to Puig."
Two of the Dodgers' early runs came thanks to errors by third baseman T.J. Rivera and right fielder Jay Bruce.
Hill (4-3) -- coming off a two-inning, seven-run outing -- allowed one run on four hits and three walks while striking out eight in five innings Wednesday. Four relievers struck out seven more Mets in the last four innings.
In the first inning, Hill was greeted by Curtis Granderson's home run to center and a double by Flores. Hill struck out two of the next three hitters to escape further trouble. He worked out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam in the fourth, striking out Reyes, Gavin Cecchini and Pill with his sweeping curve.
The Dodgers got a run in the third thanks to a two-base throwing error by Rivera and Hill's sacrifice fly -- the veteran pitcher's first RBI since 2009.
Los Angeles blew the game open in the fourth. Cody Bellinger legged a double to right field, took third when Bruce air-mailed his throw to second and scored on Logan Forsythe's double. Pill walked Joc Pederson intentionally to get to Puig, who slugged a 3-1 pitch to left, his 13th homer of the season, for a 5-1 lead.
NOTES: The Dodgers recalled RHP Brandon Morrow from Triple-A Oklahoma City. He was 2-0 in five relief appearances earlier this season, not allowing a run while striking out seven in six innings. He replaces RHP Brock Stewart, who pitched three innings of relief Wednesday and earned a save before being optioned to the minors. ... Dodgers 1B Adrian Gonzalez says he will not rush back from his herniated disk as he did earlier this season, and he may not return until late July. Gonzalez received an epidural injection for the injury after going on the DL and is working to strengthen his back. His two trips to the DL this season were the first in his career ... Mets RHP Zach Wheeler was placed on the 10-day disabled list with biceps tendinitis. New York recalled RHPs Tyler Pill and Erik Goeddel from Triple-A Las Vegas and optioned INF Matt Reynolds (.177) to Las Vegas.
Yankees stop seven-game slide with 8-4 win
(TSX / STATS) -- NEW YORK -- In April, the at-bats were occurring often for Austin Romine as Gary Sanchez recovered from a biceps injury.
The production from Romine was evident. But when Sanchez returned, the at-bats and productivity diminished for the backup catcher.
At least until Wednesday night when Romine tied a career high with three hits, including a two-run double in the sixth inning, and the New York Yankees snapped a seven-game losing streak with an 8-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
Romine began his 29th start with a .218 average. He batted .314 during the first month of the season but since then was batting .136 (8-for-59) in his previous 20 games.
"My job first and foremost is to catch, and any time I do something with the bat, it's a bonus," Romine said.
Romine posted his fifth career game with three hits and first since May 28, 2016, at Tampa Bay. He raised his average 19 points, but more important, his production helped the Yankees end their longest losing streak since April 2007 and avoid dropping an eighth straight game for the first time since Aug. 19-26, 1995.
"He's been great," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said of Romine. "He stepped up big in Gary's absence. He does a great job with our pitching staff. He's contributed offensively. He's done a really good job.
"And it's not easy because he was playing every day and he was having a lot of success offensively playing every day and then he went back to the playing once every three or four days. It was good to see him have a good night."
Romine's biggest hit was the two-run double to deep center field off Mike Morin with one out in the sixth inning. The hit occurred an inning after Matt Holliday broke a 2-2 tie with a solo homer off Ricky Nolasco and pushed the lead to 5-2.
The Yankees added a run on an infield single by Aaron Hicks. The hit prevented Girardi from using Dellin Betances for more than three outs. Betances was warming up when Romine doubled but only pitched the eighth after Chad Green registered four outs and the Yankees added their final runs on RBI singles by Starlin Castro and Chase Headley in the eighth.
"Romine's always been a good player," Betances said.
Didi Gregorius hit a two-run homer in the second for the Yankees and starter Jordan Montgomery (5-4) allowed two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings.
The only blemish for New York's first win since June 12 was struggling reliever Tyler Clipaprd allowing a two-run homer to Martin Maldonado without getting an out in the ninth.
After Clippard was booed off the mound, Aroldis Chapman quickly secured the win.
While the Yankees halted their skid, the Angels were unable to go above .500 after reaching the break-even mark for the 18th time.
Maldonado hit a game-tying homer in the fourth and had his first career multi-homer game. Andrelton Simmons was 3-for-4.
The Angels struck out 10 times and their top five hitters were a combined 3-for-16.
It also continued to be a struggle for Nolasco, who dropped a career-high seventh straight start. Nolasco allowed five runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings and is winless in his last 10 starts.
"It's a tough lineup, tough park, tight zone," said Nolasco, who has allowed a league-leading 23 homers. "This is one of those parks where you can't sit there and just pound, you know, because then you'll get the fly balls. You kind of pitch to the park."
It matched the team record set by George Brunet, who dropped seven straight starts in 1967. His skid is three shy of the team record set by Andy Hassler in 1976.
"He's kept us in games and given us chances to win a lot of games, tonight included," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He got us to a certain point. Unfortunately, it unraveled a little bit in the sixth, but he got us to a certain point and he definitely gave us a chance. We just didn't get anything going offensively early enough."
NOTES: Angels manager Mike Scioscia said CF Mike Trout (UCL, left thumb) did not experience any difficulties when he took dry swings Tuesday. Scioscia said the team would get a better feel when Trout continues his activities this weekend. ... New York 1B Greg Bird (bruised right ankle) visited Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, N.C., and was given a cortisone shot. The Yankees believe Bird can resume baseball activities within three to five days. ... Angels RHP Huston Street (strained right lat) is with the team and could be activated off the disabled list Thursday after missing the entire season so far. ... CF Jacoby Ellsbury (concussion) took batting practice for the first time since getting hurt May 24 and could begin a rehab assignment shortly.
The production from Romine was evident. But when Sanchez returned, the at-bats and productivity diminished for the backup catcher.
At least until Wednesday night when Romine tied a career high with three hits, including a two-run double in the sixth inning, and the New York Yankees snapped a seven-game losing streak with an 8-4 victory over the Los Angeles Angels.
Romine began his 29th start with a .218 average. He batted .314 during the first month of the season but since then was batting .136 (8-for-59) in his previous 20 games.
"My job first and foremost is to catch, and any time I do something with the bat, it's a bonus," Romine said.
Romine posted his fifth career game with three hits and first since May 28, 2016, at Tampa Bay. He raised his average 19 points, but more important, his production helped the Yankees end their longest losing streak since April 2007 and avoid dropping an eighth straight game for the first time since Aug. 19-26, 1995.
"He's been great," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said of Romine. "He stepped up big in Gary's absence. He does a great job with our pitching staff. He's contributed offensively. He's done a really good job.
"And it's not easy because he was playing every day and he was having a lot of success offensively playing every day and then he went back to the playing once every three or four days. It was good to see him have a good night."
Romine's biggest hit was the two-run double to deep center field off Mike Morin with one out in the sixth inning. The hit occurred an inning after Matt Holliday broke a 2-2 tie with a solo homer off Ricky Nolasco and pushed the lead to 5-2.
The Yankees added a run on an infield single by Aaron Hicks. The hit prevented Girardi from using Dellin Betances for more than three outs. Betances was warming up when Romine doubled but only pitched the eighth after Chad Green registered four outs and the Yankees added their final runs on RBI singles by Starlin Castro and Chase Headley in the eighth.
"Romine's always been a good player," Betances said.
Didi Gregorius hit a two-run homer in the second for the Yankees and starter Jordan Montgomery (5-4) allowed two runs and five hits in 5 2/3 innings.
The only blemish for New York's first win since June 12 was struggling reliever Tyler Clipaprd allowing a two-run homer to Martin Maldonado without getting an out in the ninth.
After Clippard was booed off the mound, Aroldis Chapman quickly secured the win.
While the Yankees halted their skid, the Angels were unable to go above .500 after reaching the break-even mark for the 18th time.
Maldonado hit a game-tying homer in the fourth and had his first career multi-homer game. Andrelton Simmons was 3-for-4.
The Angels struck out 10 times and their top five hitters were a combined 3-for-16.
It also continued to be a struggle for Nolasco, who dropped a career-high seventh straight start. Nolasco allowed five runs and seven hits in 5 1/3 innings and is winless in his last 10 starts.
"It's a tough lineup, tough park, tight zone," said Nolasco, who has allowed a league-leading 23 homers. "This is one of those parks where you can't sit there and just pound, you know, because then you'll get the fly balls. You kind of pitch to the park."
It matched the team record set by George Brunet, who dropped seven straight starts in 1967. His skid is three shy of the team record set by Andy Hassler in 1976.
"He's kept us in games and given us chances to win a lot of games, tonight included," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He got us to a certain point. Unfortunately, it unraveled a little bit in the sixth, but he got us to a certain point and he definitely gave us a chance. We just didn't get anything going offensively early enough."
NOTES: Angels manager Mike Scioscia said CF Mike Trout (UCL, left thumb) did not experience any difficulties when he took dry swings Tuesday. Scioscia said the team would get a better feel when Trout continues his activities this weekend. ... New York 1B Greg Bird (bruised right ankle) visited Dr. Robert Anderson in Charlotte, N.C., and was given a cortisone shot. The Yankees believe Bird can resume baseball activities within three to five days. ... Angels RHP Huston Street (strained right lat) is with the team and could be activated off the disabled list Thursday after missing the entire season so far. ... CF Jacoby Ellsbury (concussion) took batting practice for the first time since getting hurt May 24 and could begin a rehab assignment shortly.
Wednesday, June 21, 2017
Dodgers hope to stay hot against slumping Mets
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(TSX / STATS) -- LOS ANGELES -- In the first two games of their four-game series, the Los Angeles Dodgers have outscored the New York Mets 22-6.
"We're just doing whatever we can to win games," said rookie slugger Cody Bellinger, who has been one of the main contributors on offense. "We have great pitching and it makes it easy on our offense to go out there and not to put too much pressure on ourselves."
The Mets (31-39) will try to relieve some of the pressure the Dodgers have put on their pitching staff. Mets right-hander Tyler Pill (0-2, 3.75 ERA) will oppose Dodgers left-hander Rich Hill (3-3, 5.14) on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.
On Tuesday, Corey Seager tied his career high with three homers, and Bellinger and Yasmani Grandal both went deep in a 12-0 romp by Los Angeles. Seager also drove in six runs.
"You know what tops it off is how we're playing as a team," said Bellinger, who became only the second Dodger to launch 10 home runs in 10 games. Shawn Green was the other Dodger to do so in May 2002.
"It's fun to watch, it's fun to be around. We're just clicking on all cylinders," Bellinger said.
Pill last appeared in relief on June 10 at Atlanta, where he worked a scoreless inning in an 8-1 romp by the Mets over the Braves. Pill's last start occurred June 4 when he gave up five runs (three earned) on eight hits in a 11-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
"He is who he is," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "He's the perfect example of a guy who has to pitch his game. He has to pitch how he always pitches and that's change speeds, don't ever throw the same pitch in the same speed two times in a row. Throw a curveball and it's 74, throw the next one 72.
"That's how he's pitched and that's how he's had success and it plays here even though he's not an overpowering guy. If you get these guys off-balance and have him guessing, then you've got a good chance of getting them out."
Pill opened the season at Double-A Binghamton and compiled a 1-0 record with an 0.00 ERA in two starts before being promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas. He was 4-1 with a 2.04 ERA in eight starts with Las Vegas.
In his last start with the 51s, Pill allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings in a win over Sacramento on Thursday.
Pill will be facing the Dodgers for the first time.
Hill will be trying to bounce back from his worst outing of the season, when he was on the losing end of a 12-5 victory by the Cleveland Indians on Thursday. Hill was tagged for seven runs on eight hits in four innings. Hill has yet to pitch more than five innings in his eight starts.
Against the Mets, Hill is 0-2 with a 13.50 ERA in four games (two starts).
Collins is hoping his club, which has dropped five of its past six games, is able to turn it around against Hill and the Dodgers.
"You got to be able to realize that you still have to pull together and you still have to make sure everybody is one the same page and these kind of things happen," Collins said. "We'll rally and get some rest, come back tomorrow, get together and get ready to play."
(TSX / STATS) -- LOS ANGELES -- In the first two games of their four-game series, the Los Angeles Dodgers have outscored the New York Mets 22-6.
"We're just doing whatever we can to win games," said rookie slugger Cody Bellinger, who has been one of the main contributors on offense. "We have great pitching and it makes it easy on our offense to go out there and not to put too much pressure on ourselves."
The Mets (31-39) will try to relieve some of the pressure the Dodgers have put on their pitching staff. Mets right-hander Tyler Pill (0-2, 3.75 ERA) will oppose Dodgers left-hander Rich Hill (3-3, 5.14) on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium.
On Tuesday, Corey Seager tied his career high with three homers, and Bellinger and Yasmani Grandal both went deep in a 12-0 romp by Los Angeles. Seager also drove in six runs.
"You know what tops it off is how we're playing as a team," said Bellinger, who became only the second Dodger to launch 10 home runs in 10 games. Shawn Green was the other Dodger to do so in May 2002.
"It's fun to watch, it's fun to be around. We're just clicking on all cylinders," Bellinger said.
Pill last appeared in relief on June 10 at Atlanta, where he worked a scoreless inning in an 8-1 romp by the Mets over the Braves. Pill's last start occurred June 4 when he gave up five runs (three earned) on eight hits in a 11-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates.
"He is who he is," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "He's the perfect example of a guy who has to pitch his game. He has to pitch how he always pitches and that's change speeds, don't ever throw the same pitch in the same speed two times in a row. Throw a curveball and it's 74, throw the next one 72.
"That's how he's pitched and that's how he's had success and it plays here even though he's not an overpowering guy. If you get these guys off-balance and have him guessing, then you've got a good chance of getting them out."
Pill opened the season at Double-A Binghamton and compiled a 1-0 record with an 0.00 ERA in two starts before being promoted to Triple-A Las Vegas. He was 4-1 with a 2.04 ERA in eight starts with Las Vegas.
In his last start with the 51s, Pill allowed two runs on six hits in seven innings in a win over Sacramento on Thursday.
Pill will be facing the Dodgers for the first time.
Hill will be trying to bounce back from his worst outing of the season, when he was on the losing end of a 12-5 victory by the Cleveland Indians on Thursday. Hill was tagged for seven runs on eight hits in four innings. Hill has yet to pitch more than five innings in his eight starts.
Against the Mets, Hill is 0-2 with a 13.50 ERA in four games (two starts).
Collins is hoping his club, which has dropped five of its past six games, is able to turn it around against Hill and the Dodgers.
"You got to be able to realize that you still have to pull together and you still have to make sure everybody is one the same page and these kind of things happen," Collins said. "We'll rally and get some rest, come back tomorrow, get together and get ready to play."
Yankees face Angels with losing streak at 7 games
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(TSX / STATS) -- NEW YORK -- For the last week, the New York Yankees are taking a long time to lose.
The result is New York's first seven-game losing streak in over 10 years.
The Yankees face the prospect of an eighth straight loss Wednesday night when they continue a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels at Wednesday night.
This streak took a combined 24 hours, 57 minutes to play with each the first six games on the West Coast. The first game back at home did not improve things in either area for the Yankees.
The Yankees were held to four hits and took three hours, 26 minutes to open the series with an 8-3 defeat Tuesday. It marked the first time the Yankees dropped seven straight games since April 20-27, 200, in the first month of Joe Torre's last season as manager.
Another loss would give the Yankees their first eight-game losing streak since Aug. 19-26, 1995 when the team fell under .500 and needed a strong finish to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1981.
"I think you find out a lot more about the makeup of your club now, when you're going through tough times, then when they're great times," said manager Joe Girardi, who said he didn't think the first 60 games were an "accident."
"You find out more in how they respond every day," he continued.
Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez homered and both are continuing to wield hot bats but it is the bullpen causing things to escalate in the wrong direction for the Yankees.
New York's bullpen allowed four runs in the seventh inning or later Tuesday. During this skid, opponents have scored 16 times in the seventh or later and the most notable struggles are coming from Tyler Clippard.
Clippard has allowed five runs in his last five outings, spanning 3 2/3 innings. In Tuesday's loss, he gave up three runs in the seventh, including a tiebreaking homer to Cameron Maybin on a 1-0 changeup.
It's super frustrating and not fun, but it's up to all of us in here to pick ourselves up and get it right. We all expect that out of ourselves, and that's what we're going to do," Clippard said.
The Angels (37-37) are at .500 for the 18th time this season and are 3-1 against the Yankees. Los Angeles moved one game over by winning the final two games against New York but dropped three of four against the Kansas City Royals.
Los Angeles rebounded nicely by getting a big night from Cameron Maybin. He went 3-for-5 with a solo homer off Clippard and an RBI infield single.
During a 10-game-hittting streak Maybin is hitting .409 (18-for-44). The center fielder also is batting .400 (36-for-90) as a leadoff hitter this season.
"It's going back a while now," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He's been the sparkplug for us. Cam's doing everything, playing great defense, setting the tone at the top of the order. He's hit the ball out of the park. He's stolen bases. He's giving us a big lift, no doubt."
The Angels are 11-10 since Mike Trout injured his thumb on a slide at second on May 28 in Miami.
"It's not that you're going to score eight runs every night, but we did a lot of good things without our best player," Scioscia said. "That points to the depth we need to establish in our lineup. You saw tonight, everybody had good at-bats all the way through. That's what we've been hoping for a while, even before Mike was injured."
The Angels head into Wednesday with at least 12 hits in three straight games and it's not just Maybin, who sparked an offense that saw its top five hitters go 11-for-24 in the series opener.
Kole Calhoun is batting .366 (26-for-71) in his last 19 games after getting two hits Tuesday.
The Yankees will hope Jordan Montgomery can pitch deep enough and effectively enough Wednesday night.
Montgomery makes 13th career start when he faces the Angels for the first time in his career. Montgomery last pitched Thursday in Oakland when he did not get a decision after allowing four runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Montgomery is 2-1 with a 2.43 ERA in his last five starts and the Yankees are 5-7 when he starts. Montgomery has held opponents to a .186 average (11-for-59) with runners in scoring position.
Meanwhile the Angels hope Ricky Nolasco can end a nine-start winless stretch.
Nolasco is 2-8 overall and since his last win on April 27, the right-hander is 0-6 with a 5.58 ERA in his last nine starts.
He is tied with New York RHP Masahiro Tanaka for the most homers allowed in the American League. Nolasco allowed two more Thursday when the Kansas City Royals tagged him for five runs and 10 hits in six innings. It was the ninth time he allowed multiple homers.
Nolasco is 1-2 with a 5.91 ERA in four career starts against the Yankees. He beat the Yankees at Yankee Stadium in 2014 with the Minnesota Twins.
(TSX / STATS) -- NEW YORK -- For the last week, the New York Yankees are taking a long time to lose.
The result is New York's first seven-game losing streak in over 10 years.
The Yankees face the prospect of an eighth straight loss Wednesday night when they continue a three-game series with the Los Angeles Angels at Wednesday night.
This streak took a combined 24 hours, 57 minutes to play with each the first six games on the West Coast. The first game back at home did not improve things in either area for the Yankees.
The Yankees were held to four hits and took three hours, 26 minutes to open the series with an 8-3 defeat Tuesday. It marked the first time the Yankees dropped seven straight games since April 20-27, 200, in the first month of Joe Torre's last season as manager.
Another loss would give the Yankees their first eight-game losing streak since Aug. 19-26, 1995 when the team fell under .500 and needed a strong finish to reach the playoffs for the first time since 1981.
"I think you find out a lot more about the makeup of your club now, when you're going through tough times, then when they're great times," said manager Joe Girardi, who said he didn't think the first 60 games were an "accident."
"You find out more in how they respond every day," he continued.
Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez homered and both are continuing to wield hot bats but it is the bullpen causing things to escalate in the wrong direction for the Yankees.
New York's bullpen allowed four runs in the seventh inning or later Tuesday. During this skid, opponents have scored 16 times in the seventh or later and the most notable struggles are coming from Tyler Clippard.
Clippard has allowed five runs in his last five outings, spanning 3 2/3 innings. In Tuesday's loss, he gave up three runs in the seventh, including a tiebreaking homer to Cameron Maybin on a 1-0 changeup.
It's super frustrating and not fun, but it's up to all of us in here to pick ourselves up and get it right. We all expect that out of ourselves, and that's what we're going to do," Clippard said.
The Angels (37-37) are at .500 for the 18th time this season and are 3-1 against the Yankees. Los Angeles moved one game over by winning the final two games against New York but dropped three of four against the Kansas City Royals.
Los Angeles rebounded nicely by getting a big night from Cameron Maybin. He went 3-for-5 with a solo homer off Clippard and an RBI infield single.
During a 10-game-hittting streak Maybin is hitting .409 (18-for-44). The center fielder also is batting .400 (36-for-90) as a leadoff hitter this season.
"It's going back a while now," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He's been the sparkplug for us. Cam's doing everything, playing great defense, setting the tone at the top of the order. He's hit the ball out of the park. He's stolen bases. He's giving us a big lift, no doubt."
The Angels are 11-10 since Mike Trout injured his thumb on a slide at second on May 28 in Miami.
"It's not that you're going to score eight runs every night, but we did a lot of good things without our best player," Scioscia said. "That points to the depth we need to establish in our lineup. You saw tonight, everybody had good at-bats all the way through. That's what we've been hoping for a while, even before Mike was injured."
The Angels head into Wednesday with at least 12 hits in three straight games and it's not just Maybin, who sparked an offense that saw its top five hitters go 11-for-24 in the series opener.
Kole Calhoun is batting .366 (26-for-71) in his last 19 games after getting two hits Tuesday.
The Yankees will hope Jordan Montgomery can pitch deep enough and effectively enough Wednesday night.
Montgomery makes 13th career start when he faces the Angels for the first time in his career. Montgomery last pitched Thursday in Oakland when he did not get a decision after allowing four runs and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings.
Montgomery is 2-1 with a 2.43 ERA in his last five starts and the Yankees are 5-7 when he starts. Montgomery has held opponents to a .186 average (11-for-59) with runners in scoring position.
Meanwhile the Angels hope Ricky Nolasco can end a nine-start winless stretch.
Nolasco is 2-8 overall and since his last win on April 27, the right-hander is 0-6 with a 5.58 ERA in his last nine starts.
He is tied with New York RHP Masahiro Tanaka for the most homers allowed in the American League. Nolasco allowed two more Thursday when the Kansas City Royals tagged him for five runs and 10 hits in six innings. It was the ninth time he allowed multiple homers.
Nolasco is 1-2 with a 5.91 ERA in four career starts against the Yankees. He beat the Yankees at Yankee Stadium in 2014 with the Minnesota Twins.
Dodgers' Seager hits three homers in rout of Mets
(TSX / STATS) -- LOS ANGELES -- Corey Seager and the Los Angeles Dodgers used the long ball again to pound the New York Mets on Tuesday night.
Seager homered three times and drove in six runs, leading the Dodgers to a 12-0 victory over the Mets at Dodger Stadium.
Seager went 4-for-5, scored three runs and recorded the second three-homer game of his career. Seager hit three home runs against the Atlanta Braves on June 3, 2006.
"It's obviously great to hit multiple home runs in games," said Seager, who tied his career high with four hits. "It's always exciting. There's just no way around it. It's just exciting."
Cody Bellinger, who hit two home runs in Monday's win over New York, and Yasmani Grandal also went deep for the Dodgers (46-26), who have won five in a row and 11 of their past 12 games.
The five homers tied a season high for Los Angeles. The Dodgers hit four in a 10-6 victory over the Mets on Monday.
"You know what tops it off is how we're playing as a team," Bellinger said. "It's fun to watch, it's fun to be around. We're just clicking on all cylinders."
Dodgers right-hander Brandon McCarthy threw six scoreless innings and limited the Mets to four hits. McCarthy (6-3) struck out four, walked one and hit a batter. Reliever Brock Stewart fanned four, walked one and did not allow a hit during the final three innings for his first save.
"We're just doing whatever we can to win games," Bellinger said. "We have great pitching and it makes it easy on our offense to go out there and not to put too much pressure on ourselves."
Mets starter Robert Gsellman served up four of the Dodgers' long balls, a season high for the right-hander. Gsellman (5-5) lasted 4 1/3 innings, yielding eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits with two strikeouts and three walks. It was a crushing blow for the Southern California native, who was facing the Dodgers for the first time.
"I've just been getting my butt kicked out there," Gsellman said. "I haven't executed pitches and batters are too comfortable out there."
The Mets (31-39) have dropped five of their past six contests.
"You got to be able to realize that you still have to pull together and you still have to make sure everybody is one the same page and these kind of things happen," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "We'll rally and get some rest, come back tomorrow, get together and get ready to play."
Logan Forsythe reached on a leadoff single in the first inning before Seager smoked a 2-1 Gsellman pitch over the wall in center for a 2-0 Los Angeles lead with no outs.
Bellinger clubbed his team-leading 22nd home run, a two-run shot to left, for a 4-0 advantage. It was the third homer in the past two games and the 10th in the last 10 contests for Bellinger, who is only the second Dodger to accomplish the latter feat. Shawn Green was the other Dodger to do it in May 2002.
Troy Tulowitzki was the last player to have a similar stretch of homers, going deep 11 times in 10 games in September 2010 when he was a member of the Colorado Rockies.
Seager hit his second home run in the fourth on a full count for a 5-0 Dodgers edge.
Grandal added a solo shot in the fifth for a 6-0 lead. Joc Pederson's ground-rule double scored Yasiel Puig in the inning to make it 7-0.
Three batters later, Seager struck again with a three-run blast to give the Dodgers a 10-0 lead. It was the fifth multi-homer game for Seager. All of them have occurred at Dodger Stadium.
Seager batted for the final time in the sixth with the bases loaded but lined out to left-center. He was on deck in the eighth when Forsythe struck out looking to end the inning.
"I was hoping he got up again," Bellinger said. "That was awesome to watch. He just missed that last one. That was crazy."
The Dodgers have won the last six contests at home, improving to 27-10 overall at Dodger Stadium.
NOTES: The Dodgers signed 21 of their 40 picks in the 2017 draft, according to MLB.com. However, none of the 21 included their top three picks: Vanderbilt OF Jeren Kendall, RHP Morgan Cooper of the University of Texas and C Connor Wong from the University of Houston. ... Mets RHP Tyler Pill (0-2, 3.75 ERA) will oppose Dodgers LHP Rich Hill (3-3, 5.14) in the third contest of the four-game series Wednesday.
Seager homered three times and drove in six runs, leading the Dodgers to a 12-0 victory over the Mets at Dodger Stadium.
Seager went 4-for-5, scored three runs and recorded the second three-homer game of his career. Seager hit three home runs against the Atlanta Braves on June 3, 2006.
"It's obviously great to hit multiple home runs in games," said Seager, who tied his career high with four hits. "It's always exciting. There's just no way around it. It's just exciting."
Cody Bellinger, who hit two home runs in Monday's win over New York, and Yasmani Grandal also went deep for the Dodgers (46-26), who have won five in a row and 11 of their past 12 games.
The five homers tied a season high for Los Angeles. The Dodgers hit four in a 10-6 victory over the Mets on Monday.
"You know what tops it off is how we're playing as a team," Bellinger said. "It's fun to watch, it's fun to be around. We're just clicking on all cylinders."
Dodgers right-hander Brandon McCarthy threw six scoreless innings and limited the Mets to four hits. McCarthy (6-3) struck out four, walked one and hit a batter. Reliever Brock Stewart fanned four, walked one and did not allow a hit during the final three innings for his first save.
"We're just doing whatever we can to win games," Bellinger said. "We have great pitching and it makes it easy on our offense to go out there and not to put too much pressure on ourselves."
Mets starter Robert Gsellman served up four of the Dodgers' long balls, a season high for the right-hander. Gsellman (5-5) lasted 4 1/3 innings, yielding eight runs (seven earned) on nine hits with two strikeouts and three walks. It was a crushing blow for the Southern California native, who was facing the Dodgers for the first time.
"I've just been getting my butt kicked out there," Gsellman said. "I haven't executed pitches and batters are too comfortable out there."
The Mets (31-39) have dropped five of their past six contests.
"You got to be able to realize that you still have to pull together and you still have to make sure everybody is one the same page and these kind of things happen," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "We'll rally and get some rest, come back tomorrow, get together and get ready to play."
Logan Forsythe reached on a leadoff single in the first inning before Seager smoked a 2-1 Gsellman pitch over the wall in center for a 2-0 Los Angeles lead with no outs.
Bellinger clubbed his team-leading 22nd home run, a two-run shot to left, for a 4-0 advantage. It was the third homer in the past two games and the 10th in the last 10 contests for Bellinger, who is only the second Dodger to accomplish the latter feat. Shawn Green was the other Dodger to do it in May 2002.
Troy Tulowitzki was the last player to have a similar stretch of homers, going deep 11 times in 10 games in September 2010 when he was a member of the Colorado Rockies.
Seager hit his second home run in the fourth on a full count for a 5-0 Dodgers edge.
Grandal added a solo shot in the fifth for a 6-0 lead. Joc Pederson's ground-rule double scored Yasiel Puig in the inning to make it 7-0.
Three batters later, Seager struck again with a three-run blast to give the Dodgers a 10-0 lead. It was the fifth multi-homer game for Seager. All of them have occurred at Dodger Stadium.
Seager batted for the final time in the sixth with the bases loaded but lined out to left-center. He was on deck in the eighth when Forsythe struck out looking to end the inning.
"I was hoping he got up again," Bellinger said. "That was awesome to watch. He just missed that last one. That was crazy."
The Dodgers have won the last six contests at home, improving to 27-10 overall at Dodger Stadium.
NOTES: The Dodgers signed 21 of their 40 picks in the 2017 draft, according to MLB.com. However, none of the 21 included their top three picks: Vanderbilt OF Jeren Kendall, RHP Morgan Cooper of the University of Texas and C Connor Wong from the University of Houston. ... Mets RHP Tyler Pill (0-2, 3.75 ERA) will oppose Dodgers LHP Rich Hill (3-3, 5.14) in the third contest of the four-game series Wednesday.
Maybin homers to lead Angels past Yankees
(TSX / STATS) -- NEW YORK -- Even before Mike Trout was injured, Cameron Maybin was thriving as a leadoff hitter for the Los Angeles Angels
Since Trout tore a thumb ligament on a slide into second May 28, Maybin is not letting up.
Maybin continued producing at the top of the order when he had three hits, including a tiebreaking homer to start the seventh inning, as the Angels totaled 14 hits in an 8-3 victory over the New York Yankees Tuesday.
The Angels beat the Yankees for the third time in four meetings this season and handed New York its seventh straight loss overall for the first time since April 20-27, 2007 by getting production from the top of the order all night.
Maybin extended his hitting streak to 10 games by getting three hits for the fifth time this season, and Los Angeles produced at least 12 hits for the third straight game. The Angels tied a season high with seven extra-base hits and the first five hitters were 11-for-24.
The center fielder is batting .400 (36-for-90) as a leadoff man since being moved there last month and he started things off with a double on the second pitch of the game. His most important hit occurred after the Yankees rallied from a 3-0 deficit by getting homers from Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez in the fifth and sixth.
The Angels regained the lead after Maybin hit a 1-0 changeup from Tyler Clippard into the left-field seats. Maybin's fifth homer triggered a three-run inning against New York's struggling relievers, and, for good measure, he added an RBI infield hit an inning later.
"It's going back awhile now," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He's been the spark plug for us. Cam's doing everything, playing great defense, setting the tone at the top of the order. He's hit the ball out of the park. He's stolen bases. He's giving us a big lift, no doubt."
Besides Maybin, others played a role in the Angels (37-37) getting to the .500 mark for the 18th time this season.
"Extremely happy with Maybin's performance," Los Angeles third baseman Yunel Escobar said through an interpreter. "Even when I was leading off, I was always telling Maybin that was his spot."
Kole Calhoun had two hits and scored the fifth run on a triple by Escobar off the left-center field wall. Calhoun also added an RBI single in the second after Danny Espinosa's run-scoring double.
Escobar, who batted leadoff for 38 games, also had two hits while Luis Valbuena capped the productive night with a solo homer in the ninth as the Angels improved to 11-10 since losing Trout.
"We did a lot of good things without our best player," Scioscia said. "So that points to the depth we need to establish in our lineup."
Besides the offense, the Angels did enough on the mound. Parker Bridwell kept the Angels in the game by allowing two runs and two hits while working around five walks in five innings.
He allowed Judge's major league-leading 24th homer, and Blake Parker (3-2) allowed Sanchez's 12th homer. Parker was awarded the win when Maybin instantly restored the lead for the Angels.
While the Angels experienced an enjoyable night, it was another frustrating showing for the Yankees, who scored 55 runs in their previous five home games.
"Obviously tonight didn't go our way, and it's frustrating," Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner said. "We tied the game back up at 3-3 there, but they came back and took the lead for good. They threw the ball well and made some good pitches, and it just wasn't our night."
Despite Judge and Sanchez homering in the same game, the bullpen continued to falter, especially Clippard. After Michael Pineda settled down after a shaky opening to allow three runs (one earned) and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings, Clippard allowed three runs while Jonathan Holder allowed two.
During this skid, the Yankees have allowed 16 runs in the seventh inning or later, and Clippard has allowed five earned runs in his last five appearances.
"Not executing like I was earlier in the year," Clippard said. "I didn't feel like I was that far off tonight, but it wasn't good."
NOTES: Angels CF Mike Trout took dry swings at his workout facility in New Jersey and will return to Los Angeles Thursday to take swings via tee and toss. ... New York RF Aaron Judge was invited to the home run derby July 9 in Miami but has not decided if he will accept the invitation. ... CF Jacoby Ellsbury (concussion) is expected to take batting practice for the first time since getting injured May 24 on Wednesday. He has been working out with Double-A Trenton. ... Angels RHP Bud Norris was placed on the 10-day disabled list with right knee inflammation. The Angels replaced Norris by calling up RHP Mike Morrin from Triple-A Salt Lake.
Since Trout tore a thumb ligament on a slide into second May 28, Maybin is not letting up.
Maybin continued producing at the top of the order when he had three hits, including a tiebreaking homer to start the seventh inning, as the Angels totaled 14 hits in an 8-3 victory over the New York Yankees Tuesday.
The Angels beat the Yankees for the third time in four meetings this season and handed New York its seventh straight loss overall for the first time since April 20-27, 2007 by getting production from the top of the order all night.
Maybin extended his hitting streak to 10 games by getting three hits for the fifth time this season, and Los Angeles produced at least 12 hits for the third straight game. The Angels tied a season high with seven extra-base hits and the first five hitters were 11-for-24.
The center fielder is batting .400 (36-for-90) as a leadoff man since being moved there last month and he started things off with a double on the second pitch of the game. His most important hit occurred after the Yankees rallied from a 3-0 deficit by getting homers from Aaron Judge and Gary Sanchez in the fifth and sixth.
The Angels regained the lead after Maybin hit a 1-0 changeup from Tyler Clippard into the left-field seats. Maybin's fifth homer triggered a three-run inning against New York's struggling relievers, and, for good measure, he added an RBI infield hit an inning later.
"It's going back awhile now," Angels manager Mike Scioscia said. "He's been the spark plug for us. Cam's doing everything, playing great defense, setting the tone at the top of the order. He's hit the ball out of the park. He's stolen bases. He's giving us a big lift, no doubt."
Besides Maybin, others played a role in the Angels (37-37) getting to the .500 mark for the 18th time this season.
"Extremely happy with Maybin's performance," Los Angeles third baseman Yunel Escobar said through an interpreter. "Even when I was leading off, I was always telling Maybin that was his spot."
Kole Calhoun had two hits and scored the fifth run on a triple by Escobar off the left-center field wall. Calhoun also added an RBI single in the second after Danny Espinosa's run-scoring double.
Escobar, who batted leadoff for 38 games, also had two hits while Luis Valbuena capped the productive night with a solo homer in the ninth as the Angels improved to 11-10 since losing Trout.
"We did a lot of good things without our best player," Scioscia said. "So that points to the depth we need to establish in our lineup."
Besides the offense, the Angels did enough on the mound. Parker Bridwell kept the Angels in the game by allowing two runs and two hits while working around five walks in five innings.
He allowed Judge's major league-leading 24th homer, and Blake Parker (3-2) allowed Sanchez's 12th homer. Parker was awarded the win when Maybin instantly restored the lead for the Angels.
While the Angels experienced an enjoyable night, it was another frustrating showing for the Yankees, who scored 55 runs in their previous five home games.
"Obviously tonight didn't go our way, and it's frustrating," Yankees left fielder Brett Gardner said. "We tied the game back up at 3-3 there, but they came back and took the lead for good. They threw the ball well and made some good pitches, and it just wasn't our night."
Despite Judge and Sanchez homering in the same game, the bullpen continued to falter, especially Clippard. After Michael Pineda settled down after a shaky opening to allow three runs (one earned) and seven hits in 5 2/3 innings, Clippard allowed three runs while Jonathan Holder allowed two.
During this skid, the Yankees have allowed 16 runs in the seventh inning or later, and Clippard has allowed five earned runs in his last five appearances.
"Not executing like I was earlier in the year," Clippard said. "I didn't feel like I was that far off tonight, but it wasn't good."
NOTES: Angels CF Mike Trout took dry swings at his workout facility in New Jersey and will return to Los Angeles Thursday to take swings via tee and toss. ... New York RF Aaron Judge was invited to the home run derby July 9 in Miami but has not decided if he will accept the invitation. ... CF Jacoby Ellsbury (concussion) is expected to take batting practice for the first time since getting injured May 24 on Wednesday. He has been working out with Double-A Trenton. ... Angels RHP Bud Norris was placed on the 10-day disabled list with right knee inflammation. The Angels replaced Norris by calling up RHP Mike Morrin from Triple-A Salt Lake.
Tuesday, June 20, 2017
Isles could lose Nelson
Choosing to protect eight total skaters and a goalie instead of seven forwards, three defensemen and a goalie, the Islanders will hold on to Andrew Ladd, An- ders Lee, John Tavares, Johnny Boychuk, Travis Hamonic, Nick Leddy, Adam Pelech, Ryan Pulock and Thomas Greiss.
That leaves notables Brock Nelson, Ryan Strome and Calvin de Haan unprotected among others, but that doesn’t mean necessarily that center Brock Nelson will be leaving the Islanders.
The expansion Vegas Golden Knights only can select one player from each existing franchise, and as Newsday’s Arthur Staple notes, leaving certain players unprotected maybeasignofadealin place between Vegas and the Isles.
ISLANDERS' UNPROTECTED LIST
Josh Bailey (F)
Steve Bernier (F)
Eric Boulton (F)
Jason Chimera (F)
Casey Cizikas (F)
Cal Clutterbuck (F)
Stephen Gionta (F)
Ben Holmstrom (F)
Bracken Kearns (F)
Nikolay Kulemin (F)
Brock Nelson (F)
Shane Prince (F)
Alan Quine (F)
Ryan Strome (F)
Johan Sundstrom (F)
Calvin de Haan (D)
Matthew Finn (D)
Jesse Graham (D)
Thomas Hickey (D)
Loic Leduc (D)
Scott Mayfield (D)
Dennis Seidenberg (D)
Jean-Francois Berube (G)
Christopher Gibson (G)
Jaroslav Halak (G)
Rangers’ unprotected
Fast, Raanta up for grabs
The NHL Sunday confirmed the Rangers’ protection list for the Vegas ex- pansion draft on Wednesday, and there were no sur- prises among the seven forwards, three defensemen and one goaltender.
The Blueshirts pro- tected Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller, Rick Nash, Derek Stepan, Mika Zibanejad, Mats Zuc- carello, Nick Holden, Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal and Hen- rik Lundqvist.
Antti Raanta, Michael Grabner, Jes- per Fast and Oscar Lindberg are the top players available to be chosen by the ex- pansion Golden Knights. Unrestricted free agent Brendan Smith is also on the unprotected list, but the Rangers sill may have a chance to sign him.
2017 NHL EXPANSION DRAFT
The expansion draft for the Los Vegas Golden Knights is Wednes- day. Only one player from each team can be chosen from the unprotected list.
RANGERS UNPROTECTED LIST
Taylor Beck (F)
Chris Brown (F)
Daniel Catenacci (F)
Jesper Fast (F)
Tanner Glass (F)
Michael Grabner (F)
Marek Hrivik (F)
Nicklas Jensen (F)
Carl Klingberg (F)
Brandon Pirri (F)
Matt Puempel (F)
Adam Clendening (D)
Tommy Hughes (D)
Steven Kampfer (D)
Kevin Klein (D)
Michael Paliotta (D)
Chris Summers (D)
Magnus Hellberg (G)
Antti Raanta (G)
Mackenzie Skapski (G)
The Blueshirts pro- tected Kevin Hayes, Chris Kreider, J.T. Miller, Rick Nash, Derek Stepan, Mika Zibanejad, Mats Zuc- carello, Nick Holden, Ryan McDonagh, Marc Staal and Hen- rik Lundqvist.
Antti Raanta, Michael Grabner, Jes- per Fast and Oscar Lindberg are the top players available to be chosen by the ex- pansion Golden Knights. Unrestricted free agent Brendan Smith is also on the unprotected list, but the Rangers sill may have a chance to sign him.
2017 NHL EXPANSION DRAFT
The expansion draft for the Los Vegas Golden Knights is Wednes- day. Only one player from each team can be chosen from the unprotected list.
RANGERS UNPROTECTED LIST
Taylor Beck (F)
Chris Brown (F)
Daniel Catenacci (F)
Jesper Fast (F)
Tanner Glass (F)
Michael Grabner (F)
Marek Hrivik (F)
Nicklas Jensen (F)
Carl Klingberg (F)
Brandon Pirri (F)
Matt Puempel (F)
Adam Clendening (D)
Tommy Hughes (D)
Steven Kampfer (D)
Kevin Klein (D)
Michael Paliotta (D)
Chris Summers (D)
Magnus Hellberg (G)
Antti Raanta (G)
Mackenzie Skapski (G)
Bellinger's HRs help Dodgers overcome Kershaw's skaky start
(TSX / STATS) -- LOS ANGELES -- Los Angeles Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw took a philosophical route when asked to sum up his rocky outing.
"There's two ways you can go: You can either try to rethink everything or you can just say 'Screw it,' and come back tomorrow and act like it didn't happen," Kershaw said. "So I'm going to go with the latter for now, I think."
Cody Bellinger hit two home runs and had four RBIs, sparking the Dodgers to a 10-6 victory over the New York Mets on Monday night at Dodger Stadium.
Bellinger became the fastest player to reach 21 home runs in major league history, doing so in 51 games and breaking the mark of 20 homers in the same number of games by New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (2015-16) and Boston Braves outfielder Wally Berger (1930).
"Guy was at second base, so I was just trying to get an RBI. Luckily, it went out of there," Bellinger said of his first-inning homer off Mets starter Zack Wheeler, who also yielded another one in the second. "The second one, I think it was 3-2, so I was trying to protect. I think it was inside, so I was just trying to protect."
Justin Turner, who also drove in four runs and tied a career high with four hits, and Chris Taylor added home runs for the Dodgers (45-26), who have won four in a row and 10 of their past 11.
Jose Reyes homered twice and rookie Gavin Cecchini hit his first major league home run for the Mets (31-38). Jay Bruce had a solo homer.
Kershaw (10-2) served up all four home runs, a career high for him. The 17 home runs Kershaw has given up this season is a career worst, topping the 16 he allowed in 2012. Kershaw struck out 10 and walked one but allowed six runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings against the Mets.
"Got a lot of guys swinging the bats well that picked me up today," said Kershaw, who tied Kansas City Royals left-hander Jason Vargas for the most wins in the majors.
Mets starter Zack Wheeler (3-5) was tagged for seven runs and eight hits in two innings. It was the second worst outing for Wheeler, coming on the heels of Tuesday's 14-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs when he gave up a career-worst eight runs in 1 2/3 innings.
"Well, when you've got that kind of stuff and you're getting hit like he's getting hit, there's something," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "We've got to get to the bottom of it."
Wheeler said his command failed him again.
"It's really frustrating," Wheeler said. "But it all starts with me."
Turner, who extended his hitting streak to 14 games, had an RBI single in the sixth to increase the Dodgers' lead to 8-4.
However, Reyes took Kershaw deep again in the seventh with a two-run homer to close the gap to 8-6.
But Taylor's solo home run in the bottom of the inning and a run-scoring single by Chase Utley put the Dodgers up 10-6.
Bellinger's three-run blast highlighted a four-run surge by the Dodgers in the first. Turner had an RBI single in the inning for a 4-0 edge.
In the second, Turner smacked a two-run shot to left for a 6-0 advantage. Bellinger followed with his second homer, a solo shot to right center to make it 7-0.
Reyes launched his fifth home run of the season in the third, jumping on Kershaw's first pitch of the inning and hitting it out to left to cut the Dodgers' lead to six runs.
Bruce added a solo shot in the fourth to slice the margin to 7-2. It was his 19th home run this season.
Cecchini delivered a two-run shot in the fifth to pull the Mets within 7-4.
NOTES: The Dodgers recognized franchise legends Don Newcombe, Maury Wills and Frank Robinson during its African American Heritage Night festivities. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and SS Corey Seager were honored with the Legacy Award, presented by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to players, managers and executives in the major leagues for on- and off-the-field achievements. ... Mets SS Jose Reyes passed Keith Hernandez for ninth on the franchise RBI leaders with 469. ... The Dodgers reinstated RHP Sergio Romo (sprained left ankle) from the 10-day disabled list and optioned RHP Josh Fields to Triple-A Oklahoma City. ... Mets RHP Robert Gsellman (5-4, 5.50 ERA) will oppose Dodgers RHP Brandon McCarthy (5-3, 3.14) in the second game of the four-game series on Tuesday.
"There's two ways you can go: You can either try to rethink everything or you can just say 'Screw it,' and come back tomorrow and act like it didn't happen," Kershaw said. "So I'm going to go with the latter for now, I think."
Cody Bellinger hit two home runs and had four RBIs, sparking the Dodgers to a 10-6 victory over the New York Mets on Monday night at Dodger Stadium.
Bellinger became the fastest player to reach 21 home runs in major league history, doing so in 51 games and breaking the mark of 20 homers in the same number of games by New York Yankees catcher Gary Sanchez (2015-16) and Boston Braves outfielder Wally Berger (1930).
"Guy was at second base, so I was just trying to get an RBI. Luckily, it went out of there," Bellinger said of his first-inning homer off Mets starter Zack Wheeler, who also yielded another one in the second. "The second one, I think it was 3-2, so I was trying to protect. I think it was inside, so I was just trying to protect."
Justin Turner, who also drove in four runs and tied a career high with four hits, and Chris Taylor added home runs for the Dodgers (45-26), who have won four in a row and 10 of their past 11.
Jose Reyes homered twice and rookie Gavin Cecchini hit his first major league home run for the Mets (31-38). Jay Bruce had a solo homer.
Kershaw (10-2) served up all four home runs, a career high for him. The 17 home runs Kershaw has given up this season is a career worst, topping the 16 he allowed in 2012. Kershaw struck out 10 and walked one but allowed six runs and six hits in 6 1/3 innings against the Mets.
"Got a lot of guys swinging the bats well that picked me up today," said Kershaw, who tied Kansas City Royals left-hander Jason Vargas for the most wins in the majors.
Mets starter Zack Wheeler (3-5) was tagged for seven runs and eight hits in two innings. It was the second worst outing for Wheeler, coming on the heels of Tuesday's 14-3 loss to the Chicago Cubs when he gave up a career-worst eight runs in 1 2/3 innings.
"Well, when you've got that kind of stuff and you're getting hit like he's getting hit, there's something," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "We've got to get to the bottom of it."
Wheeler said his command failed him again.
"It's really frustrating," Wheeler said. "But it all starts with me."
Turner, who extended his hitting streak to 14 games, had an RBI single in the sixth to increase the Dodgers' lead to 8-4.
However, Reyes took Kershaw deep again in the seventh with a two-run homer to close the gap to 8-6.
But Taylor's solo home run in the bottom of the inning and a run-scoring single by Chase Utley put the Dodgers up 10-6.
Bellinger's three-run blast highlighted a four-run surge by the Dodgers in the first. Turner had an RBI single in the inning for a 4-0 edge.
In the second, Turner smacked a two-run shot to left for a 6-0 advantage. Bellinger followed with his second homer, a solo shot to right center to make it 7-0.
Reyes launched his fifth home run of the season in the third, jumping on Kershaw's first pitch of the inning and hitting it out to left to cut the Dodgers' lead to six runs.
Bruce added a solo shot in the fourth to slice the margin to 7-2. It was his 19th home run this season.
Cecchini delivered a two-run shot in the fifth to pull the Mets within 7-4.
NOTES: The Dodgers recognized franchise legends Don Newcombe, Maury Wills and Frank Robinson during its African American Heritage Night festivities. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts and SS Corey Seager were honored with the Legacy Award, presented by the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum to players, managers and executives in the major leagues for on- and off-the-field achievements. ... Mets SS Jose Reyes passed Keith Hernandez for ninth on the franchise RBI leaders with 469. ... The Dodgers reinstated RHP Sergio Romo (sprained left ankle) from the 10-day disabled list and optioned RHP Josh Fields to Triple-A Oklahoma City. ... Mets RHP Robert Gsellman (5-4, 5.50 ERA) will oppose Dodgers RHP Brandon McCarthy (5-3, 3.14) in the second game of the four-game series on Tuesday.
Yankees prospect Torres to have Tommy John surgery
New York Yankees top prospect Gleyber Torres will miss the remainder of the season after the team announced Monday the infielder needs to undergo Tommy John surgery on his non-throwing left elbow.
The Yankees said Torres has a torn ligament in his left elbow but is expected to recover after surgery in time for spring training next year.
Torres was seen by the team's head physician, Dr. Christopher Ahmad, at Presbyterian Hospital in New York and diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.
The 20-year-old Torres has risen quickly through the Yankees' minor league system, but the torn UCL and subsequent surgery puts an end to any hopes of a 2017 major league debut.
Torres, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs last July in the Aroldis Chapman trade, suffered a hyperextended left elbow while sliding into home plate on Saturday in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's win over the Buffalo Bisons.
Torres, ranked the No. 5 prospect in the game by Baseball America before the season, got off to a solid start for Double A-Trenton, hitting .273 with five home runs and 18 RBIs in 32 games.
Torres was promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on May 23 and after a slow start, he hit .309 with two home runs and 16 RBIs in 23 games.
The Yankees said Torres has a torn ligament in his left elbow but is expected to recover after surgery in time for spring training next year.
Torres was seen by the team's head physician, Dr. Christopher Ahmad, at Presbyterian Hospital in New York and diagnosed with a torn ulnar collateral ligament in his left elbow.
The 20-year-old Torres has risen quickly through the Yankees' minor league system, but the torn UCL and subsequent surgery puts an end to any hopes of a 2017 major league debut.
Torres, who was acquired from the Chicago Cubs last July in the Aroldis Chapman trade, suffered a hyperextended left elbow while sliding into home plate on Saturday in Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre's win over the Buffalo Bisons.
Torres, ranked the No. 5 prospect in the game by Baseball America before the season, got off to a solid start for Double A-Trenton, hitting .273 with five home runs and 18 RBIs in 32 games.
Torres was promoted to Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on May 23 and after a slow start, he hit .309 with two home runs and 16 RBIs in 23 games.
Monday, June 19, 2017
Smith Stars in Shutout Finale
BUFFALO, N.Y. – The SWB RailRiders (Triple-A/New York Yankees) battled a pair of rain delays and shut out the host Buffalo Bisons (Toronto Blue Jays) in Sunday's rain-shortened series finale, 2-0. The RailRiders (41-26) have won eight of their last 10 while the Bisons (34-34) have lost 11 of 14. The game was called one pitch into the eighth inning.
SWB got all the runs it would need in the first frame. Tyler Wade began the game with a single up the middle, extending the IL's best active hitting streak to 18 games. It tied him with SWB's Rob Refsnyder and Durham's Curt Casali for the longest hitting streaks by an IL player all season.
Dustin Fowler then took his place at first base on a fielder's choice before Donovan Solano doubled to right-center, scoring Fowler from first. After a Mike Ohlman passed ball, Tyler Austin pushed Solano home with a sac fly to center.
Southpaw Caleb Smith (5-0) sizzled, tossing a career-high-tying seven scoreless innings of one-hit ball. He walked two and whiffed seven in the longest outing of his Triple-A career. The lone knock was a leadoff bunt single by Ian Parmley. Thereafter, Smith retired 17 of 18 before Jake Elmore reached on a Wade error and Gregorio Petit walked. With Ohlman, Buffalo's leader in homers and RBIs, at the plate, Eddy Rodriguez thwarted a double steal with a bullet throw to third base, nailing Elmore to end the inning.
Rehabbing right-hander Glenn Sparkman (0-1) took the loss for Buffalo in his Triple-A debut.
The RailRiders return home on Monday, June 19 with a 7:05 p.m. contest against the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington Nationals). Right-hander Brady Lail (3-2, 5.18) is scheduled to face Syracuse's Greg Ross (2-2, 4.88). The Dollar Dog Monday sports $1 lawn tickets, $1 hot dogs and fans can bring their pup to the ballpark for just $1. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.
OFF THE RAILS:
The RailRiders lost their first five meetings with the Bisons, but have won the last five in a row including all four games during this three-day set…SWB posted its IL-best ninth shutout win…The RailRiders improved to 11-2 when Caleb Smith starts…Eddy Rodriguez leads all IL catchers in caught-stealing efficiency at 54% (13 of 24 caught)…The Bisons entered the series with a 24-10 (.706) record at Coca-Cola Field only to suffer their first four-game sweep at home since Gwinnett took all four from July 21-24, 2016…SWB had not swept a four-game series at Buffalo since June 30-July 3, 2016 when the eventual Triple-A National Champions won 15 of their final 16 overall games against the Bisons…The game endured a 42-minute rain delay in the middle of the fourth and another 81-minute delay after a first-pitch ball began the eighth until the game was called…The RailRiders have won a season-high-tying four straight road games.
SWB got all the runs it would need in the first frame. Tyler Wade began the game with a single up the middle, extending the IL's best active hitting streak to 18 games. It tied him with SWB's Rob Refsnyder and Durham's Curt Casali for the longest hitting streaks by an IL player all season.
Dustin Fowler then took his place at first base on a fielder's choice before Donovan Solano doubled to right-center, scoring Fowler from first. After a Mike Ohlman passed ball, Tyler Austin pushed Solano home with a sac fly to center.
Southpaw Caleb Smith (5-0) sizzled, tossing a career-high-tying seven scoreless innings of one-hit ball. He walked two and whiffed seven in the longest outing of his Triple-A career. The lone knock was a leadoff bunt single by Ian Parmley. Thereafter, Smith retired 17 of 18 before Jake Elmore reached on a Wade error and Gregorio Petit walked. With Ohlman, Buffalo's leader in homers and RBIs, at the plate, Eddy Rodriguez thwarted a double steal with a bullet throw to third base, nailing Elmore to end the inning.
Rehabbing right-hander Glenn Sparkman (0-1) took the loss for Buffalo in his Triple-A debut.
The RailRiders return home on Monday, June 19 with a 7:05 p.m. contest against the Syracuse Chiefs (Washington Nationals). Right-hander Brady Lail (3-2, 5.18) is scheduled to face Syracuse's Greg Ross (2-2, 4.88). The Dollar Dog Monday sports $1 lawn tickets, $1 hot dogs and fans can bring their pup to the ballpark for just $1. For tickets or more information, please call 570-969-BALL (2255) or visit swbrailriders.com.
OFF THE RAILS:
The RailRiders lost their first five meetings with the Bisons, but have won the last five in a row including all four games during this three-day set…SWB posted its IL-best ninth shutout win…The RailRiders improved to 11-2 when Caleb Smith starts…Eddy Rodriguez leads all IL catchers in caught-stealing efficiency at 54% (13 of 24 caught)…The Bisons entered the series with a 24-10 (.706) record at Coca-Cola Field only to suffer their first four-game sweep at home since Gwinnett took all four from July 21-24, 2016…SWB had not swept a four-game series at Buffalo since June 30-July 3, 2016 when the eventual Triple-A National Champions won 15 of their final 16 overall games against the Bisons…The game endured a 42-minute rain delay in the middle of the fourth and another 81-minute delay after a first-pitch ball began the eighth until the game was called…The RailRiders have won a season-high-tying four straight road games.
Teen indicted in fatal stabbing at suburban NY theater
Associated Press
NEW YORK (AP) — A teenager accused of a fatal stabbing at a suburban New York movie theater has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges.
Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr. says 16-year-old Michael Pettiford was arraigned Monday after his indictment in the death of 19-year-old theater worker Daij (dayj) Thomas.
The violence occurred around 12:30 a.m. on April 15 at the Showcase Cinema de Lux at the upscale Ridge Hill mall in Yonkers.
Police said the two teens knew each other.
Authorities say the attacker approached Thomas in the lobby, tried to get him to fight and grabbed his phone. Thomas was stabbed in the chest during a struggle over the phone.
Pettiford’s attorney, Judith Permutt, declined to comment.
NEW YORK (AP) — A teenager accused of a fatal stabbing at a suburban New York movie theater has pleaded not guilty to murder and other charges.
Westchester County District Attorney Anthony A. Scarpino Jr. says 16-year-old Michael Pettiford was arraigned Monday after his indictment in the death of 19-year-old theater worker Daij (dayj) Thomas.
The violence occurred around 12:30 a.m. on April 15 at the Showcase Cinema de Lux at the upscale Ridge Hill mall in Yonkers.
Police said the two teens knew each other.
Authorities say the attacker approached Thomas in the lobby, tried to get him to fight and grabbed his phone. Thomas was stabbed in the chest during a struggle over the phone.
Pettiford’s attorney, Judith Permutt, declined to comment.
DeGrom helps Mets win series finale against Nationals
(TSX / STATS) -- NEW YORK -- The long hair and the protected path he took to the major leagues might both be of the 21st century variety for Jacob deGrom. But in every other way, he has turned into a throwback ace pitcher for the New York Mets.
DeGrom followed up a complete-game victory by earning the win with eight innings of three-hit ball Sunday, when he homered for the New York Mets' first run in a 5-1 victory over the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.
The win allowed the Mets (31-37) to avoid being swept in the four-game series by the division-rival Nationals. Of the last nine wins deGrom has earned since last July, seven have come after a New York loss.
"Those kind of guys, they stop losing streaks," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "You lose three in a row, who shows up? Jake deGrom. And that means a lot, because when he's out there, the offense kind of relaxes a little knowing, hey, look, we don't have to score a ton. We just have to score a few runs and he's going to hold them."
On Sunday, all the Mets needed was one more run than deGrom produced himself. DeGrom, who played shortstop in college before converting to pitcher upon being drafted by the Mets in 2010, led off the third with a game-tying opposite-field homer to left.
"I was running pretty hard, so now, I didn't know it was gone," deGrom said with a grin. "But that's where I seem to hit baseballs in batting practice, so I knew if I got it over there, it would have a chance."
DeGrom, who allowed an unearned run in the first, was at his best after the homer. He retired 15 of the 17 batters he faced over his final five innings, a stretch in which he allowed just four balls to leave the infield and began to entertain thoughts of a second straight complete game.
DeGrom tossed a five-hitter for his second major-league complete game Monday night, when the Mets beat the Chicago Cubs, 5-1. On Sunday, he threw just 50 pitches between the fourth and seventh, including six pitches in the sixth, to reach the eighth at 94 pitches.
An 11-pitch eighth, during which pinch hitter Stephen Drew singled for the Nationals' first hit since the third, ended any hopes of going the distance. DeGrom -- who underwent Tommy John surgery shortly after being drafted and threw more than seven innings just twice in 58 minor league starts -- was lifted after throwing 105 pitches, a call he didn't argue with even though he said Monday he expects to pitch a complete game every time.
"I definitely would have liked to finish that game," said deGrom, who walked two and struck out six. "But it was hot out there today and I definitely think that's the right call."
Addison Reed allowed one hit in the ninth in a non-save situation as the Mets pulled within 10 1/2 games of the National League East-leading Nationals (42-27).
"We knew (deGrom) was going to be tough going into today because they didn't want to be swept at home," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said. "You've got to put it on deGrom. He even helped himself out."
The Mets took the lead in the fourth when Lucas Duda singled, went to second on T.J. Rivera's single and scored when Matt Wieters dropped the throw home on Travis d'Arnaud's single. Michael Conforto followed with an RBI single.
Conforto had another RBI single in the sixth for the Mets, who completed their scoring with a run-scoring single by Curtis Granderson in the seventh.
Rivera had four hits for the Mets.
The Nationals scored their run in the first, when Brian Goodwin reached on an error by Wilmer Flores, took second on a single by Bryce Harper, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on Ryan Zimmerman's sacrifice fly.
Trea Turner tied a Nationals/Montreal Expos franchise record with four stolen bases. He is the first player to achieve the feat since the team relocated from Montreal in 2005.
Turner is tied for second in the National League with 25 stolen bases. He credits Nationals first base coach Davey Lopes, who stole 557 bases in his career, for his success on the basepaths.
"He gives you the confidence to run, but that's something I've never really had," Turner said.
Right-hander Joe Ross (3-3) took the loss after allowing four runs (two earned), nine hits and one walk while striking out four in six innings.
NOTES: The Nationals placed RHP Shawn Kelley (right trapezius strain) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled RHP A.J. Cole from Triple-A Syracuse. ... SS Trea Turner is the first Nationals/Expos player to steal four bases in a game since OF Marquis Grissom did it on July 21, 1992. ... Mets SS Asdrubal Cabrera, who is on the 10-day disabled list with a left thumb injury, fielded grounders before the game. ... Mets manager Terry Collins said the team's scheduled starter for Wednesday is still unknown. That is the turn usually taken by RHP Matt Harvey, who is on the disabled list with a right shoulder injury.
DeGrom followed up a complete-game victory by earning the win with eight innings of three-hit ball Sunday, when he homered for the New York Mets' first run in a 5-1 victory over the Washington Nationals at Citi Field.
The win allowed the Mets (31-37) to avoid being swept in the four-game series by the division-rival Nationals. Of the last nine wins deGrom has earned since last July, seven have come after a New York loss.
"Those kind of guys, they stop losing streaks," Mets manager Terry Collins said. "You lose three in a row, who shows up? Jake deGrom. And that means a lot, because when he's out there, the offense kind of relaxes a little knowing, hey, look, we don't have to score a ton. We just have to score a few runs and he's going to hold them."
On Sunday, all the Mets needed was one more run than deGrom produced himself. DeGrom, who played shortstop in college before converting to pitcher upon being drafted by the Mets in 2010, led off the third with a game-tying opposite-field homer to left.
"I was running pretty hard, so now, I didn't know it was gone," deGrom said with a grin. "But that's where I seem to hit baseballs in batting practice, so I knew if I got it over there, it would have a chance."
DeGrom, who allowed an unearned run in the first, was at his best after the homer. He retired 15 of the 17 batters he faced over his final five innings, a stretch in which he allowed just four balls to leave the infield and began to entertain thoughts of a second straight complete game.
DeGrom tossed a five-hitter for his second major-league complete game Monday night, when the Mets beat the Chicago Cubs, 5-1. On Sunday, he threw just 50 pitches between the fourth and seventh, including six pitches in the sixth, to reach the eighth at 94 pitches.
An 11-pitch eighth, during which pinch hitter Stephen Drew singled for the Nationals' first hit since the third, ended any hopes of going the distance. DeGrom -- who underwent Tommy John surgery shortly after being drafted and threw more than seven innings just twice in 58 minor league starts -- was lifted after throwing 105 pitches, a call he didn't argue with even though he said Monday he expects to pitch a complete game every time.
"I definitely would have liked to finish that game," said deGrom, who walked two and struck out six. "But it was hot out there today and I definitely think that's the right call."
Addison Reed allowed one hit in the ninth in a non-save situation as the Mets pulled within 10 1/2 games of the National League East-leading Nationals (42-27).
"We knew (deGrom) was going to be tough going into today because they didn't want to be swept at home," Nationals manager Dusty Baker said. "You've got to put it on deGrom. He even helped himself out."
The Mets took the lead in the fourth when Lucas Duda singled, went to second on T.J. Rivera's single and scored when Matt Wieters dropped the throw home on Travis d'Arnaud's single. Michael Conforto followed with an RBI single.
Conforto had another RBI single in the sixth for the Mets, who completed their scoring with a run-scoring single by Curtis Granderson in the seventh.
Rivera had four hits for the Mets.
The Nationals scored their run in the first, when Brian Goodwin reached on an error by Wilmer Flores, took second on a single by Bryce Harper, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on Ryan Zimmerman's sacrifice fly.
Trea Turner tied a Nationals/Montreal Expos franchise record with four stolen bases. He is the first player to achieve the feat since the team relocated from Montreal in 2005.
Turner is tied for second in the National League with 25 stolen bases. He credits Nationals first base coach Davey Lopes, who stole 557 bases in his career, for his success on the basepaths.
"He gives you the confidence to run, but that's something I've never really had," Turner said.
Right-hander Joe Ross (3-3) took the loss after allowing four runs (two earned), nine hits and one walk while striking out four in six innings.
NOTES: The Nationals placed RHP Shawn Kelley (right trapezius strain) on the 10-day disabled list and recalled RHP A.J. Cole from Triple-A Syracuse. ... SS Trea Turner is the first Nationals/Expos player to steal four bases in a game since OF Marquis Grissom did it on July 21, 1992. ... Mets SS Asdrubal Cabrera, who is on the 10-day disabled list with a left thumb injury, fielded grounders before the game. ... Mets manager Terry Collins said the team's scheduled starter for Wednesday is still unknown. That is the turn usually taken by RHP Matt Harvey, who is on the disabled list with a right shoulder injury.
Cotton, Athletics complete sweep of Yankees
(TSX / STATS) -- OAKLAND, Calif. -- The series looked like a mismatch from the outset, with the brawny New York Yankees visiting the error-prone, cellar-dwelling Oakland Athletics.
But looks can deceive.
In fact, it was the Athletics who completed a surprising four-game sweep on Sunday with a 4-3 win at a sweltering Oakland Coliseum amid 90-degree heat.
Khris Davis' two-run homer, his 18th of the season, broke a 2-2 tie in Oakland's four-run third inning. Sean Doolittle earned the save, and Jharel Cotton (4-7, 5.40 ERA) gave the kind of quality start the A's needed against the high-powered Yankees.
The A's are tough at home with a 22-13 record, but horrendous away at 9-25.
"This feels really good," Doolittle said of the sweep. "To put four games together against a team that's that good, one of the best teams in the American League, to come away with a four-game sweep is really big for us."
Now the A's will look to keep bashing the big boys when they open a four-game set at home against American League West-leading Houston on Monday.
After missing more than a month due to inflammation on his rotator cuff, Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman returned on Sunday, and retired the side in order in the eighth.
"They wanted me to go out there and pitch an inning, regardless of the situation in the game," Chapman said, using an interpreter.
The Yankees' Matt Holliday returned after being scratched on Saturday due to allergy symptoms and crushed a solo home run in the second inning, his 14th of the year.
Davis described the sweep as a "confidence-boost for sure, just because they're a great team on the other side. They've got a lot of power guys. We just battled and battled, and it just showed how relentless we can be."
New York dropped its sixth consecutive game and completed a disappointing West Coast trip 1-6.
The Yankees were swept for the first time this season, joining the rest of the American League in that department.
But Yankees manager Joe Girardi doesn't sound worried about his team.
"I don't look at things in a snapshot," Girardi said. "I look at how you've played over the course of a season and we've really played well, and it's a very talented group."
Cotton, who entered the game on a four-game losing streak, allowed six hits and three earned runs, struck out six and walked one.
It marked his second longest start of the season. He threw 103 pitches, and could have thrown a few more.
"Towards the end I wanted to win for the team so badly I just wanted to pitch as long as I can go," Cotton said.
Cotton described the outing as a way to build momentum. He said A's regular catcher Stephen Vogt, who served as the designated hitter on Sunday, advised him to attack the Yankees' hitters and not to nibble because they'll just "foul you off."
Doolittle overcame a two-base throwing error by shortstop Chad Pinder to earn the save.
The A's jolted Yankees rookie right-hander Luis Cessa (0-1), making his first start of the season, in the third to take a 4-2 lead. Davis had the telling blow, a prodigious shot to center -- just his second home run in his last 19 games.
Josh Phegley started the uprising with a single, and Matt Joyce and Pinder followed with back-to-back doubles, the latter one tying the game.
Cessa held the A's without a hit in the first two innings, but wound up allowing five hits and four earned runs over four innings.
Holliday opened the scoring with a shot to center to lead off the second. Aaron Judge tacked on his 53rd RBI of the season in the third, scoring Brett Gardner, who doubled. Holliday sat out Saturday's game suffering from allergy symptoms.
NOTES: Before rejoining his teammates in Oakland, New York LHP Aroldis Chapman had a rehab outing with Double-A Trenton on Friday. Chapman has seven saves in eight tries this season. ... Yankees top prospect SS Gleyber Torres, who has been sizzling at Triple-A Scranton, has been placed on the 7-day minor league disabled list with a hyperextended left elbow. Torres will undergo more evaluation on Monday. ... The A's fell to 4-12 on replay challenges this season after CF Jaycob Brugman's out call at second base was confirmed in the fourth inning on an attempted stealing. ... The 90-degree game-time temperature was the hottest for an A's home start since June 20, 2008. ... The Yankees (38-29) have lost a season-high six consecutive games, the longest current losing skid in the American League. Only National League teams Arizona and Los Angeles have not been swept this season.
But looks can deceive.
In fact, it was the Athletics who completed a surprising four-game sweep on Sunday with a 4-3 win at a sweltering Oakland Coliseum amid 90-degree heat.
Khris Davis' two-run homer, his 18th of the season, broke a 2-2 tie in Oakland's four-run third inning. Sean Doolittle earned the save, and Jharel Cotton (4-7, 5.40 ERA) gave the kind of quality start the A's needed against the high-powered Yankees.
The A's are tough at home with a 22-13 record, but horrendous away at 9-25.
"This feels really good," Doolittle said of the sweep. "To put four games together against a team that's that good, one of the best teams in the American League, to come away with a four-game sweep is really big for us."
Now the A's will look to keep bashing the big boys when they open a four-game set at home against American League West-leading Houston on Monday.
After missing more than a month due to inflammation on his rotator cuff, Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman returned on Sunday, and retired the side in order in the eighth.
"They wanted me to go out there and pitch an inning, regardless of the situation in the game," Chapman said, using an interpreter.
The Yankees' Matt Holliday returned after being scratched on Saturday due to allergy symptoms and crushed a solo home run in the second inning, his 14th of the year.
Davis described the sweep as a "confidence-boost for sure, just because they're a great team on the other side. They've got a lot of power guys. We just battled and battled, and it just showed how relentless we can be."
New York dropped its sixth consecutive game and completed a disappointing West Coast trip 1-6.
The Yankees were swept for the first time this season, joining the rest of the American League in that department.
But Yankees manager Joe Girardi doesn't sound worried about his team.
"I don't look at things in a snapshot," Girardi said. "I look at how you've played over the course of a season and we've really played well, and it's a very talented group."
Cotton, who entered the game on a four-game losing streak, allowed six hits and three earned runs, struck out six and walked one.
It marked his second longest start of the season. He threw 103 pitches, and could have thrown a few more.
"Towards the end I wanted to win for the team so badly I just wanted to pitch as long as I can go," Cotton said.
Cotton described the outing as a way to build momentum. He said A's regular catcher Stephen Vogt, who served as the designated hitter on Sunday, advised him to attack the Yankees' hitters and not to nibble because they'll just "foul you off."
Doolittle overcame a two-base throwing error by shortstop Chad Pinder to earn the save.
The A's jolted Yankees rookie right-hander Luis Cessa (0-1), making his first start of the season, in the third to take a 4-2 lead. Davis had the telling blow, a prodigious shot to center -- just his second home run in his last 19 games.
Josh Phegley started the uprising with a single, and Matt Joyce and Pinder followed with back-to-back doubles, the latter one tying the game.
Cessa held the A's without a hit in the first two innings, but wound up allowing five hits and four earned runs over four innings.
Holliday opened the scoring with a shot to center to lead off the second. Aaron Judge tacked on his 53rd RBI of the season in the third, scoring Brett Gardner, who doubled. Holliday sat out Saturday's game suffering from allergy symptoms.
NOTES: Before rejoining his teammates in Oakland, New York LHP Aroldis Chapman had a rehab outing with Double-A Trenton on Friday. Chapman has seven saves in eight tries this season. ... Yankees top prospect SS Gleyber Torres, who has been sizzling at Triple-A Scranton, has been placed on the 7-day minor league disabled list with a hyperextended left elbow. Torres will undergo more evaluation on Monday. ... The A's fell to 4-12 on replay challenges this season after CF Jaycob Brugman's out call at second base was confirmed in the fourth inning on an attempted stealing. ... The 90-degree game-time temperature was the hottest for an A's home start since June 20, 2008. ... The Yankees (38-29) have lost a season-high six consecutive games, the longest current losing skid in the American League. Only National League teams Arizona and Los Angeles have not been swept this season.
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