Nine-Inning Doubleheaders in the Pythagorean Universe, 2020-21

[Garrett Garlits]

Now let's look at a day that I've tried to do before: May 27, which had two doubleheaders. First, the Mets host the Rockies at Citi Field.

Game 1:

Mets 3, Rockies 2 (Mets led 1-0 after six and a half)

The Rockies scored twice in the top of the eighth to take the lead. Left fielder Raimel Tapia doubled to center with one out and moved to third on third baseman Ryan McMahon's tapper to first. Shortstop Trevor Story was next, and his double down the right field line scored Tapia and tied the game at two, Right fielder Charlie Blackmon's single to right center brought Story home, and the Rockies took a 2-1 lead.

The Mets came back to win in the bottom of the ninth. First baseman James McCann drew a leadoff walk against Colorado closer Daniel Bard, moved to second on a wild pitch, and came home on left fielder Billy McKinney's walkoff homer to right center, It was McKinney's sixth home run of the year,

W- Jeurys Familia (10-5)
L- Daniel Bard (7-8)

HR- NYM: McKinney (6)

Original winning pitcher Marcus Stroman's record is now 9-13. Original losing pitcher German Marquez's record is now 12-10. Edwin Diaz's save has been disallowed; he now has thirty-one.

Game 2:

Mets 6. Rockies 4 (Mets led 4-2 after six and a half)

The Mets added a run in the bottom of the seventh. Pinch hitter Michael Conforto, batting for reliever Jacob Barnes, singled up the middle with two out, McCann, who was catching, walked to put two men on, and right fielder Khalil Lee followed with a double into the right center power alley that scored Conforto and gave the Mets a 5-2 lead.

The Rockies scored twice in the eighth against Mets reliever Trevor May. With one out, shortstop Brendan Rodgers hit a 1-2 curveball five rows up in left center field for his sixteenth home run of the year to bring the Rox within 5-3. Center fielder Yonathan Daza followed with a line drive to left center that dropped on the warning track and hopped over the wall for a book-rule double. That brought up left fielder Connor Joe, whose base hit to right scored Diaz to make it 5-4.

The Mets added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth, as Brandon Nimmo (batting for center fielder Cameron Maybin) hit a bloop to right that got past right fielder Tapia and into the corner, where it kept bouncing. By the time Tapia could corral it, Nimmo was already at third, and Mets third base coach Gary DiSarcina waved him home. Tapia fired a one-hop bullet to the plate from deep in the right field corner, but Nimmo avoided the tag of catcher Elias Diaz to complete an inside-the-park home run, his ninth homer of the year.

Edwin Diaz (no relation that I know of to Elias) pitched a one-two-three ninth to "re-earn" his thirty-second save. Barnes' save has been disallowed; he now has one for the year.

S-Edwin Diaz (32)
DS- Barnes (1)

HR- COL: Rodgers (16)
NYM: Nimmo (9)

Our second stop is Yankee Stadium, where the Yankees are hosting the Blue Jays.

Game 1:

Blue Jays 2, Yankees 0 (Blue Jays led 2-0 after seven)

There was no further scoring. Jays reliever Rafael Dolis retired the last six Yankee hitters in order to earn his fourth save of the season,

Jordan Romano's save has been disallowed. He now has twenty-three for the year.

S- Dolis (4)
DS- Romano (23)

Game 2:

Yankees 6, Blue Jays 3 (Yankees led 5-3 after six and a half)

The Yankees added a run in the bottom of the eighth. Designated hitter Aaron Judge led off with a double off the center field wall and scored on third baseman Gio Urshela's single to right,

Aroldis Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his thirty-first save, Chad Green's save has been disallowed; he now has five for the year.

S- Chapman (31)
DS- Green (5)

There was no movement in the standings.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now let's look at Tuesday, May 4. We begin in Denver, where the Rockies are hosting the Giants,

Game 1:

Giants 14, Rockies 4 (Giants led 12-4 after seven)

The Giants added two runs in the top of the eighth. First baseman Brandon Belt led off with a lined single to right. Catcher Buster Posey was next, and he scalded a line drive into the left field corner. Hustling all the way. he rounded second and meant to pull in at third with a triple. but when Giants third base coach Ron Wotus realized that Rockies left fielder Raimel Tapia was having trouble picking up the ball, he waved Buster home. The throw to the plate was late, and the future Hall of Famer had an improbable two-run inside-the-park home run, his nineteenth of the year.

HR- SF: Posey (19)

Game 2:

Rockies 8, Giants 6 (Rockies led 8-6 with two outs in the bottom of the seventh)

There was no further scoring. Rockies reliever Daniel Bard pitched a perfect ninth to earn his twenty-first save of the season.

S- Bard (21)

Now we head to Wrigley Field for a double dip between the Dodgers and the Cubs. Game 2 was won by the Cubs 4-3 in the regulation nine innings, so we're only looking at Game 1.

Cubs 7, Dodgers 1 (Cubs led 7-1 after six and a half)

There was no further scoring. Cubs starter Kyle Hendricks finished a complete game, fanning three more Dodgers to raise his total for the day to nine.

There was no movement in the standings.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now let's go back to April 29 for the doubleheader between the Tigers and the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Game 1:

White Sox 3, Tigers 2 (White Sox led 3-1 after six and a half)

The Tigers scored a run in the top of the ninth. Third baseman Jeimer Candelario and first baseman Miguel Cabrera drew back-to-back walks. Second baseman Jonathan Schoop's single to left loaded the bases, and White Sox reliever Jose Ruiz departed in favor of Garrett Crochet, who promptly threw a wild pitch to score Candelario. Pinch runner Akil Baddoo (running for Cabrera) moved to third, while Schoop moved to second. But the runners were stranded; shortstop Niko Goodrum took a called third strike, designated hitter Wilson Ramos flew to Chicago's Billy Hamilton in left center. and right fielder Victor Reyes bounced to second to end the game.

Crochet earned his second save of the season, which means that Liam Hendriks' save has been disallowed, He now has thirty-four for the year.

S- Crochet (2)
DS- Hendriks (34)

Game 2:

White Sox 18, Tigers 0 (White Sox led 11-0 after six and a half)

The White Sox completed their drubbing of the Tigers with a seven-run eighth. Catcher Yasmani Grandal drew a leadoff walk. Left fielder Andrew Vaughn was hit in the left knee by a pitch to put two men on, and right fielder Leury Garcia lined a base hit to right center to load the bases. Second baseman Nick Madrigal's bloop single to left scored Grandal and Vaughn to make it 13-0, but he was forced by shortstop Tim Anderson for the first out. Garcia moved to third on the force, and center fielder Luis Robert's single up the middle brought him home with the fourteenth Chicago run while Amderson moved to third. Robert stole second. and third baseman Yoan Moncada followed with another single up the middle. Anderson and Robert scored, and the Chisox led 16-0.

That was all for Tigers reliever Spencer Turnbull; outfielder Daz Cameron took over on the mound and promptly threw a wild pitch that moved Moncada to second. First baseman Jose Abreu flew to left center for out number two, but designated hitter Yermin Mercedes put the capper on the inning with a two-run homer to left center, his eighth of the year. The Pale Hose finished their evening with eighteen runs on twenty-two hits.

HR- CWS: Mercedes (8)

There were no changes in the standings.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Let's stay at Guaranteed Rate Field for a twin bill on May 14, as the Pale Hose welcome the Royals.

Game 1:

Royals 6, White Sox 2 (Royals led 6-2 after seven)

There was no further scoring.

Game 2:

Royals 5, White Sox 3 (White Sox led 3-1 after six and a half)

The Royals scored four runs in the top of the ninth against White Sox reliever Garrett Crochet. First baseman Ryan O'Hearn led off with a single to left. Center fielder Jarrod Dyson flew to left for the first out, but third baseman Kelvin Gutierrez walked to put two men on. Gutierrez was forced by shortstop Nicky Lopez for out number two, but second baseman Whit Merrifield walked to load the bases. That brought up designated hitter Carlos Santana. who hit a 3-1 curveball over the right field wall; for a grand slam, his twentieth home run of the year. Royals reliever Scott Barlow pitched a one-two-three ninth to earn his seventeenth save.

W- Daniel Lynch (5-6)
S- Scott Barlow (17)
L- Garrett Crochet (3-6)

HR- KC: Santana (20)

Original winning pitcher Codi Heuer's record is now 3-1 with the White Sox and 6-4 overall. Liam Hendricks' save has been disallowed; he now has thirty-three. Original losing pitcher Jake Junis' record is now 2-3.

The Royals are now 71-91, still in last place in the American League Central, twenty-four games behind the first-place White Sox. They're two games behind the Twins for fourth place and four games behind the Tigers for third place. As for the White Sox, their record has slipped to 95-67, but they still have a comfortable fifteen-game lead over the second-place Indians.

The updated American League Central standings:

White Sox: 95-67
Indians: 80-82- 15 GB
Tigers: 75-87- 20 GB
Twins: 73-89- 22 GB
Royals: 71-91- 24 GB

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

For the next two days, our home base will be Progressive Field in Cleveland. In our first doubleheader on Sunday, May 30, the Indians host the Blue Jays.

Game 1:

Blue Jays 5, Indians 2 (Blue Jays led 4-1 after seven)

The Jays added a run in the top of the ninth when second baseman Marcus Semien lined a home run off the foul pole in left, his forty-sixth of the year.

The Tribe answered with a home run of their own in the bottom of the ninth, as third baseman Jose Ramirez hit one high and deep to dead center, his nineteenth of the year. Blue Jays reliever Tayler Saucedo retired the next three batters in order to end the game,

Reliever Jordan Romano's save has been disallowed. He now has twenty-two for the year.

DS- Romano (22)

HR- TOR: Semien (46)
CLE: J. Ramirez (19)

Game 2:

Indians 8, Blue Jays 5 (Indians led 6-5 with two out in the bottom of the seventh)

The Indians added two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth. With one out, Bradley Zimmer. who was catching for the first time in his major league career, was hit in the thigh by a pitch. After second baseman Cesar Hernandez popped to Bo Bichette at short for out number two, shortstop Amed Rosario lined a base hit to right that put runners at the corners. Ramirez was next, and he banged a triple off the top of the wall in right. Zimmer and Rosario both scored, and the Tribe led 8-5.

Reliever James Karinchak retired the Jays in order in the top of the ninth to record his twelfth save.

S- Karinchak (12)

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: The Tribe hosts their second doubleheader in as many days tomorrow (May 31). This time, they entertain the Central-leading White Sox.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now let's look at the doubleheader between the White Sox and the Indians from May 31.

Game 1:

White Sox 9, Indians 6 (White Sox led 8-6 after eight)

The White Sox added a run in the top of the ninth. Catcher Zack Collins was the courtesy runner at second. He moved to third with two out on shortstop Tim Anderson's grounder to second and scored on a book-rule double to right center by center fielder Billy Hamilton. Closer Liam Hendriks pitched a perfect ninth to earn his thirty-fourth save.

Aaron Bummer's save has been disallowed. He now has two for the season.

S- Hendriks (34)
DS- Bunmer (2)

Game 2:

Indians 3, White Sox 1 (Indians led 3-1 after six and a half)

There was no further scoring.

James Karinchak pitched a one-two-three ninth to earn his thirteenth save of the year, which means that Emmanuel Clase's save has been disallowed. He now has twenty-three for the year.

S- Karinchak (13)
DS- Clase (23)

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: We look at our final American League doubleheader in May, which is May 20's clash between the Twins and the Angels at Angel Stadium.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's May 20, and the Angels are entertaining the Twins in a doubleheader at Angel Stadium,

Game 1:

Angels 7, Twins 2 (Angels led 7-1 after six and a half)

The Twins scored a run in the top of the ninth. Third baseman Josh Donaldson drew a leadoff walk. After designated hitter Nelson Cruz struck out swinging for out number one, second baseman Jorge Polanco lined a double off the wall in right to score Donaldson with the Twins' second run.

Game 2:

Twins 8, Angels 5 (Twins led 6-3 after seven)

The Twins scored a run in the top of the eighth when second baseman Luis Arraez hit a home run over the wall in left center field. It was his third homer of the year.

The Angels answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the eighth. Shortstop David Fletcher led off with a lined single up the middle. After second baseman Jose Rojas flew to shallow left center for out number one, designated hitter Shohel Ohtani lashed a ball into the right field corner that eluded the Twins' Max Kepler. By the time Kepler got hold of it, Ohtani was almost at third. Knowing that it would take a perfect throw to the plate to get him, Angels third base coach Brian Butterfield waved his two-way star homeward. The throw home was cut off, and Ohtani was joyously greeted by Fletcher (who had scored in front of him) and the rest of his teammates. It was Ohtani's forty-seventh homer of the year.

The Twins added an insurance run in the top of the ninth. Left fielder Trevor Larnach lined a two-out double to right center. Catcher Mitch Garver and center fielder Rob Refsnyder drew back-to-back walks to load the bases, and shortstop Andrelton Simmons lined a single to right that scored Larnach and made it 8-5 Minnesota. Garver also tried to score but was cut down at the plate by a perfect one-hop throw from Angels right fielder Taylor Ward.

Twins closer Alex Colome pitched out of a first-and-third jam in the bottom of the ninth to earn his eighteenth save of the year. This means that Hansel Robles' save has been disallowed. He now has nine for the season.

S- Colome (18)
DS- Robles (9)

HR- MIN: Arraez (3)
LAA: Ohtani (47)

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: The first of our two remaining National League doubleheaders for May, as the Cardinals host the Mets on May 5.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now let's check in at Busch Stadium on May 5, as the Cardinals host the Mets.

Game 1:

Cardinals 4, Mets 1 (Cardinals led 4-1 after six and a half)

There was no further scoring.

Cardinals reliever Junior Fernandez pitched a perfect ninth to earn his first save of the season. This means that Alex Reyes' save has been disallowed; he now has twenty-eight for the year.

S- Fernandez (1)
DS- Reyes (28)

Game 2:

Mets 7, Cardinals 2 (Mets led 7-2 after seven)

There was no further scoring.

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: We wrap up the May doubleheaders with a visit to Coors Field on May 12, as the Rockies host the Padres.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

As promised, our next stop is Coors Field, where the Rockies are hosting the Padres on May 12.

Game 1:

Padres 7, Rockies 3 (Padres led 5-3 after seven)

The Padres added two insurance runs in the top of the ninth. Right fielder John Andreoli led off with a line drive single to right center, but was forced by Tommy Pham, who was batting for left fielder Tucupita Marcano. Shortstop Ha-Seong Kim followed by hitting a line drive off the left field foul pole for a two-run homer, his ninth of the year.

Padres reliever Mark Melancon's save has been disallowed. He now has thirty-eight for the year.

HR- SD: Kim (9)

DS- Melancon (38)

Game 2:

As we pick up the action, the Rockies lead 3-2 in the bottom of the eighth with two out and Joshua Fuentes at first following his run-scoring single. Catcher Elias Diaz grounded to short to retire the side.

Carlos Estevez was the new Colorado pitcher in the top of the ninth, and Marcano was the courtesy runner at second for the Padres. Kim led off the inning with his second homer of the doubleheader and tenth of the year, this one a high fly ball over the wall in left that put the Padres in front 4-3.

Melancon came out of the bullpen to try to "re-earn" his thirty-ninth save in the bottom of the ninth; Diaz was the courtesy runner for the Rox. Left fielder Raimel Tapia's bloop single to left put runners at the corners. After Tapia stole second, Brendan Rodgers batted for second baseman Alan Trejo and lined a base hit to right that scored Diaz to tie the game at four while Tapia moved to third. A walk to shortstop Trevor Story loaded the bases, and right fielder Charlie Blackmon hit a two-hopper down to third. The Padres' Manny Machado made the stop and threw to Adam Frazier at second for the force on Story, but Blackmon was safe at first, which allowed Tapia to score and the Rox to win the game 5-4.

W- Estevez (4-5)
L- Melancon (4-4)

HR- SD: Kim (10)

Original winning pitcher Yency Almonte's record is now 1-1. Original losing pitcher Nick Ramirez's record is now 1-0.

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: We begin our look at the month of June with a doubleheader to be determined,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

We'll begin our look at June's doubleheaders on Saturday, June 12, as the Nationals host the Giants at Nationals Park.

Game 1:

Nationals 3. Giants 2 (Nationals led 2-0 after six and a half)

The Nats extended their lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the eighth when left fielder Andrew Stevenson hit a fly ball down the right field line that eked over the wall for a leadoff home run. It was his sixth of the year.

The Giants scored twice in the top of the ninth against new Nats pitcher Tanner Rainey. Catcher Buster Posey lined a leadoff double into the right field corner, moved to third on first baseman Brandon Belt's grounder to Josh Harrison at second, and scored ahead of shortstop Brandon Crawford on Crawford's two-run homer over the center field wall, his twenty-fifth of the season. Rainey got the last two outs to end the game and earn his fourth save of the year.

Nats reliever Brad Hand's save has been disallowed. He now has twenty for the year.

S- Rainey (4)
DS- Hand (20)

HR- SF: Crawford (25)
WSH: Stevenson (6)

Game 2:

Giants 3, Nationals 2 (Giants led 2-1 after eight)

The Giants added a run in the top of the ninth. Center fielder Austin Slater was the courtesy runner, and he moved to third when catcher Curt Casali beat out a bouncer to Nats third baseman Starlin Castro for an infield hit and scored on a one-out single up the middle by right fielder LaMonte Wade Jr.

The Nats got that run back in the bottom of the ninth. Shortstop Trea Turner was the courtesy runner, and he moved to third on right fielder Juan Soto's single to right and scored on first baseman Ryan Zimmerman's grounder to short. Giants closer Dominic Leone struck left fielder Kyle Schwarber out swinging and retired second baseman Josh Harrison on a grounder to short to end the game and earn his fourth save of the year.

Giants reliever Caleb Baragar's save has been disallowed. He now has one for the year.

S- Leone (4)
DS- Baragar (1)

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

For the next three days. we'll be examining the June doubleheaders played by the Mets. The first one we'll examine is the third chronologically: their June 25 date with the Phillies at Citi Field.

Game 1:

Mets 2, Phillies 1 (Mets led 2-1 with nobody out in the bottom of the eighth)

There was no further scoring. The Phillies got courtesy runner Andrew McCutchen to third with two out in the top of the ninth, but Mets closer Edwin Diaz struck out third baseman Nick Maton swinging to end the game and earn his thirty-third save of the year.

S- Diaz (33)

Game 2:

We pick up the action in the top of the ninth with the Phillies leading 2-1. First baseman Rhys Hoskins is the courtesy runner for Philadelphia,

Right fielder Bryce Harper led off with a single up the middle to put runners at the corners. McCutchen's line drive was gloved by third baseman Luis Guillorme for the first out, but third baseman Alec Bohm smacked the first pitch he saw down the right field line and into the first row of seats for a three-run homer that extended the Phils' lead to 5-1. It was Bohm's eighth home run of the year.

That was all for Mets pitcher Sean Reid Foley; Robert Gsellman came in to face second baseman Luke Williams, who slapped his first pitch past his outstretched glove and into center field for a hit. Shortstop Ronald Torreyes' single to left put runners at the corners. and center fielder Travis Jankowski's base hit to right scored Williams to make it 6-1. Torreyes went to third on Jankowski's single and scored when catcher J.T. Realmuto hit a ball to left that dropped on the warning track and bounced into the stands for a book-rule double. Seth Lugo, who had been the winning pitcher in Game 1, replaced Gsellman and got the final two outs with no further damage.

The Mets got a run back in the bottom of the ninth. Left Dominic Smith was their courtesy runner, and he moved to third with one out when Guillorme beat out a slow roller to second for an infield single. Right fielder Travis Blankenhorn's liner was gloved by Torreyes for the second out while the runners held, but catcher Patrick Mazeika's single to left brought Smith home with the second Mets run. Second baseman Jeff McNeil flew to Jankowski in center to end the game, Final score: Phillies 7, Mets 2.

Phillies reliever Hector Neris' save has been disallowed. He now has eleven for the year.

HR- PHI: Bohm (8)

DS- Neris (11)

There was no movement in the standings,

Next: The Mets head to Nationals Park to meet the Nats on June 19.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's June 19, and the Nationals are hosting the Mets in a doubleheader at Nationals Park.

Game 1:

Mets 6, Nationals 3 (Mets led 5-1 after seven)

The Mets added an insurance run in the top of the eighth when left fielder Kevin Pillar hit a flyball down the line in right and into the second row of seats for a home run, his sixteenth of the year.

The Nats answered with two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Third baseman Starlin Castro drew a leadoff walk, and catcher Alex Avila stroked a single to right center to put runners at the corners. Center fielder Victor Robles struck out swinging for out number one, and left fielder Kyle Schwarber forced Avila for out number two. Castro scored on the play, and the Nats trailed 6-2.

Shortstop Trea Turner's base hit to left center moved Schwarber to third, and right fielder Juan Soto's base hit to right center scored Schwarber to make it 6-3. First baseman Josh Bell walked to load the bases, and Mets manager Luis Rojas called on closer Edwin Diaz to face second baseman Josh Harrison, J-Hay lined the first pitch he saw at counterpart Luis Guillorme to end the inning with the bases still loaded.

Diaz pitched a one-two-three ninth to earn his thirty-fourth save of the season.

S- Diaz (34)

Game 2:

Nationals 6, Mets 3 (Nationals led 6-2 after six and a half)

The Mets scored a run with two out in the top of the ninth. Pillar, who was in right field for this game, lined a double off the center field wall and scored on second baseman Jose Peraza's single to left. Paolo Espino came out of the Washington bullpen to retire center fielder Albert Almora Jr. on a fly to left center to end the game and earn his second save of the season.

Brad Hand's save has been disallowed. He now has nineteen for the year.

S- Espino (2)
DS- Hand (19)

There were no changes in the standings,

Next: Our third and final June doubleheader involving the Mets, as they host the Braves on June 21.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's Monday, June 21, and the Mets are hosting the Braves in a doubleheader at Citi Field.

Game 1:

Mets 5, Braves 2 (Mets led 4-2 after six and a half)

The Mets added a run in the bottom of the seventh. Third baseman Jonathan Villar beat out a bouncer to third for an infield single, then stole second. Shortstop Francisco Lindor's bloop single to right brought Villar home, and the Mets led 5-2.

Mets reliever Trevor May pitched out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the ninth to earn his fifth save of the season. This means that Edwin Diaz's save has been disallowed; he now has thirty-three for the year.

S- May (5)
DS- Diaz (33)

Game 2:

As we pick up the action, the Braves lead 1-0 after seven innings.

The Mets scored a run to tie the game in the bottom of the ninth. Left fielder Albert Almora Jr. drew a one-out walk. The Braves tried to catch Almora off guard by putting on a pickoff play, but catcher William Contreras' throw sailed into center field, which allowed Almora to move to second. He held there while catcher James McCann grounded to third for the second out, but center fielder Kevin Pillar lined a base hit up the middle to score Almora and tie the game at one.

In the top of the tenth, left fielder Guillermo Heredia was the courtesy runner for the Braves. He moved to third with two out on center fielder Ronald Acuna Jr.'s fly to deep left center, but first baseman Freddie Freeman grounded to his counterpart Pete Alonso to end the inning.

The Mets won the game in the bottom of the tenth. Right fielder Brandon Drury was the courtesy runner for New York. Third baseman Luis Guillorme struck out swinging for out number one, but Lindor blasted a triple into the right field corner that brought Drury home and gave the Mets a 2-1 win,

W- Seth Lugo (5-3)
L- Tyler Matzek (0-5)

Original winning pitcher Ian Anderson's record is now 8-5. Reliever Will Smith's save has been disallowed; he now has thirty-six. Original losing pitcher Miguel Castro's record is now 3-3.

DS- Smith (36)

The Mets have regained a game in the standings; they're now 76-86, good for third place in the National League East. The Braves still lead the division with a mark of 93-68, twelve and a half games ahead of the Phillies and seventeen and a half games ahead of the Mets. The Braves' lead over the Brewers for the two seed in the National League is down to a half game.

The updated standings in the East:

Braves: 93-68
Phillies: 81-81- 12.5 GB
Mets: 76-86- 17.5 GB
(tie) Marlins: 72-90- 21.5 GB
(tie) Nationals: 72-90- 21.5 GB

Next: Our final National League doubleheader for June, as the Braves host the Cardinals on June 20.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's June 20, and the Braves are hosting the Cardinals in a doubleheader at Truist Park,

Game 1:

Cardinals 9, Braves 3 (Cardinals led 9-1 after seven)

The Braves scored twice in the bottom of the eighth. Left fielder Abraham Almonte drew a leadoff walk, and third baseman Austin Riley followed with a two-run homer over the wall in left center, his thirty-fourth of the year.

HR- ATL: Riley (34)

Game 2:

We pick up the action with the Braves leading 1-0 after six and a half innings.

The Cardinals tied the game in the top of the eighth with two out when center fielder Dylan Carlson hit a solo home run to left center, his nineteenth of the season, The Braves left the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth, and we went to extra innings.

Second baseman Edmundo Sosa was the courtesy runner for the Cardinals in the top of the tenth, He moved to third on shortstop Paul DeJong's fly to deep right center. but had to hold when catcher Andrew Knizner grounded to short. Right fielder Tommy Edman flew to deep right center to end the inning.

Catcher Kevan Smith was the courtesy runner for the Braves in the bottom of the tenth, but he wasn't at second for long. as right fielder Ronald Acuna Jr; hit the first pitch he saw from Cardinals reliever Kodi Whitley into the right field upper deck for a game-winning home run, his second of the game and twenty-sixth of the year. Final score in ten: Braves 3, Cardinals 1.

W- Jacob Webb (6-4)
L- Kodi Whitley (0-1)

HR- ATL: Acuna Jr. (26)

Original winning pitcher Drew Smyly's record is now 10-4. Will Smith's save has been disallowed; he now has thirty-five. Original losing pitcher Kwang-Hyun Kim's record is now 7-6.

DS- W. Smith (35)

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: We look at the first of June's two American League doubleheaders. as the Tigers host the Astros at Comerica Park on June 26.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

It's now June 26, and the Astros are taking on the Tigers in a doubleheader at Comerica Park.

Game 1:

Tigers 8, Astros 1 (Tigers led 3-1 after six and a half)

The Tigers added four runs in the bottom of the seventh. With one out, catcher Jake Rogers ripped a double into the left center power alley. Shortstop Zack Short followed with a two-run homer over the right field wall, his eighth of the year. That was all for Astros starter Framber Valdez; Brandon Bielak came out of the Houston pen and walked right fielder Robbie Grossman on four pitches. A wild pitch moved Grossman to second, and first baseman Jonathan Schoop clouted the Tigers' second homer of the inning, a two-run shot over the left field wall that extended their lead to 7-1, It was Schoop's twenty-third home run of the year.

The Tigers added another run in the bottom of the eighth. Center fielder Dax Cameron drew a leadoff walk, stole second, and scored on left fielder Eric Haase's single to right center.

HR- DET: Schoop (23), Short (8)

Game 2:

Astros 5, Tigers 2 (Astros led 3-2 after seven)

The Astros added two runs in the top of the ninth. Shortstop Carlos Correa singled to left with one out, and right fielder Kyle Tucker followed with a two-run homer to straightaway center, his thirty-first of the season.

Astros reliever Brooks Raley pitched a scoreless ninth to earn his third save of the year, which means that Ryan Pressly's save has been disallowed. He now has twenty-five for the year.

S- Raley (3)
DS- Pressly (25)

HR- HOU: Tucker (31)

There was no movement in the standings.

Next: Our last doubleheader of June, as the Indians host the Tigers at Progressive Field on June 30,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

I'm going to put aside Tigers-Indians for the moment and move ahead to a two-doubleheader day on July 7. In our first twin bill, the Indians head to Tropicana Field to take on the Rays.

Game 1:

Rays 10, Indians 2 (Rays led 8-1 after six and a half)

The Rays added a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh. First baseman Ji-Man Choi lined a leadoff single to right center. After third baseman Joey Wendle flew to shallow center for the first out. designated hitter Austin Meadows doubled off the wall in right to score Chol with the Rays' ninth run. Second baseman Vidal Brujan followed with a single up the middle that brought Meadows home to make it 10-1.

The Indians scored a run in the top of the ninth. Designated hitter Franmil Reyes drew a leadoff walk. A wild pitch from Rays reliever Jeffrey Springs moved him to second. First baseman Bobby Bradley's single to right put runners at the corners, and Reyes scored when left fielder Harold Ramirez bounced into a force play that eliminated Bradley.

Game 2:

Rays 6, Indians 0 (Rays led 4-0 after six and a half)

The Rays added a run in the bottom of the seventh. After two out, Brujan (who was starting in right field) ripped a double into the left center power alley, Catcher Francisci Meija walked to put two men on, and second baseman Mike Brosseau lined another double off the right field wall to score Brujan and give the Rays a 5-0 lead,

The Tampa pitching staff kept their no-hitter going in the top of the eighth. Cleveland third baseman Owen Miller's line drive was gloved by shortstop Taylor Walls for out number one. Center fielder Oscar Mercado walked and stole second, but catcher Austin Hedges' foul pop was caught by Bruja in shallow right for out number two. Left fielder Ernie Clement grounded to Walls at short to end the inning for reliever Josh Fleming, and the Rays were three outs from history.

The Rays added an insurance run in the bottom of the eighth. Center fielder Brett Phillips led off with a single to right center, then stole second. Designated hitter Randy Arozarena struck out swinging for out number one, but third baseman Wander Franco walked to put two men on, Meadows flew to shallow right center for the second out, but first baseman Yandy Diaz lined a single to right center that scored Meadows to make it 6-0.

Chris Mazza cane out of the Rays' bullpen in the top of the ninth to try to finish the no-hitter. He struck out Tribe second baseman Cesar Hernandez swinging, retired shortstop Amed Rosario on a fly to Phillips in left center for out number two, then struck out designated hitter Jose Ramirez swinging to finish the no-no, The Tampa staff walked three. with another batter reaching on an error. They also struck out ten.

There were no changes in the American League standings,

Our second stop is Citi Field, where the Mets are entertaining the Brewers.

Game 1:

As we pick up the action, the Mets lead 4-3 with nobody out and runners at first and second in the bottom of the eighth.

Right fielder Michael Conforto's grounder to second moved the runners up; catcher James McCann was now at third and second baseman Jeff McNeil was at second. Third baseman Luis Guillorme's single to right scored McCann to put the Mets up 5-3, with McNeil moving to third. Left fielder Kevin Pillar sent his counterpart Christian Yelich back to the warning track to catch his fly ball, which allowed McNeil to score and make it 6-3. Center fielder Brandon Nimmo's roller to first baseman Jace Peterson ended the inning.

Shortstop Willy Adames was the courtesy runner for the Brewers in the top of the ninth. He moved to third on catcher Omar Narvaez's bouncer to second and scored on right fielder Avisail Garcia's sacrifice fly to deep left center. Mets closer Edwin Diaz finished his victorious two-inning stint by striking Peterson out swinging to end the game. Final score: Mets 6, Brewers 4.

Game 2:

Brewers 5, Mets 1 (Brewers led 5-0 after seven)

The Mets scored a run in the bottom of the eighth. Nimmo led off with a lined single to right center. McNeil's base hit to right put runners at the corners, and after third baseman Jonathan Villar struck out swinging for out number one, Nimmo scored on shortstop Francisco Lindor's grounder to second. First baseman Dominic Smith went down swinging to end the inning.

There were no changes in the National League standings.

Next: To be determined,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now it's time for a July 4 doubleheader between the Mets and the Yankees at Yankee Stadium.

Game 1:

Mets 10, Yankees 7 (Mets led 10-5 after seven)

The Yanks scored twice in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, center fielder Brett Gardner singled to right center. After catcher Kyle Higashioka took a called third strike for out number two, left fielder Rougned Odor hit a two-run homer to dead center, his sixteenth of the year. It was now 10-7, and second baseman D,J, LeMahieu kept the inning alive with a lined single to left. Mets closer Edwin Diaz was called on to face right fielder Aaron Judge, and he needed just two pitches to retire Number 99 on a popup to second baseman Jeff McNeil, end the game, and "re-earn" his thirty-fourth save.

HR- NYY: Odor (16)

S- Diaz (34)

Game 2:

Yankees 5, Mets 2 (Yankees led 4-2 after six and a half)

The Yankees added a run in the bottom of the eighth on center fielder Brett Gardner's line-drive home run over the center field wall, his eleventh of the year.

Yankees closer Aroldis Chapman pitched a scoreless ninth to pick up his thirty-second save of the year.

S- Chapman (32)

HR- NYY: Gardner (11)

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now let's look at the June 30 doubleheader between the Tigers and the Indians at Progressive Field.

Game 1:

Tigers 14, Indians 8 (Tigers led 9-4 after seven)

The Tigers sc6red twice in the top of the eighth. Third baseman Jeimer Candelario led off with a double into the left center power alley, Right fielder Nomar Mazara followed with a single to right that scored Candelario and put the Tigers up 10-4. Shortstop Zack Short flew to the Indians' Oscar Mercado in left for the first out, but second baseman Harold Castro's single to right put runners at the corners. Catcher Jake Rogers made it four hits in five at-bats with a single to left that scored Mazara and made it 11-4.

The Tribe answered with three runs in the bottom of the eighth, With one out, third baseman Owen Miller homered over the left center field wall, his fifth of the year. Designated hitter Eddie Rosario made it back-to-back jacks by hitting Tigers reliever Jose Cisnero's first pitch over the center field wall to make it 11-6. It was Rosario's fifteenth homer of the year overall and his eighth with the Indians, First baseman Bobby Bradley followed with a fly ball to left center that dropped on the warning track and hopped over the wall for a double. Right fielder Harold Ramirez was next. and his double off the wall in right scored Bradley to cut the Tigers' lead to 11-7.

The Tigers scored three times in the top of the ninth to restore their big lead. Designated hitter Miguel Cabrera lined a one-out single to right. Candelario's single to right center put two men on, and Mazara cleared the bases with a three-run homer over the left field wall to give the visitors a 14-7 lead. It was Mazara's fourth home run of the year.

The Indians closed out the scoring with a run in the bottom of the ninth. With one out, second baseman Cesar Hernandez singled to right. Shortstop Amed Rosario's single to left center moved Hernandez to third, and he came home on Miller's fly to the warning track in left center. Eddie Rpsario's grounder to second ended the game.

HR- DET: Mazara (4)
CLE: E. Rosario (15), Miller (5)

Game 2:

Tigers 9, Indians 1 (Tigers led 7-1 after seven)

The Tigers added a pair of insurance runs in the top of the eighth. Second baseman Willi Castro hit a leadoff home run over the wall in left center to increase the Detroit lead to 8-1. It was Willi's tenth homer of the year. After center fielded Derek Hill was retired on a comebacker for the first out, left fielder Robbie Grossman was hit in the lower leg by a pitch. First baseman Jonathan Schoop's single to right center put runners at the corners, but Schoop was forced by Candelario for out number two, Grossman scored on the play, and the Tigers led 9-1.

HR- DET: W. Castro (10)

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: The Tigers host the Twins in a doubleheader on July 17.

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

I just found a doubleheader that was started in July but completed in September. The Padres are taking on the Braves at Truist Park, and we'll begin with Game 1 on July 21:

Padres 3, Braves 2 (Padres led 3-2 after seven)

There was no further scoring. Padres reliever Ryan Weathers pitched out of a first-and-third jam in the bottom of the ninth to earn his second save of the year. This means that Mark Melancon's save has been disallowed; he now has thirty-eight for the year.

S- Weathers (2)
DS- Melancon (38)

Now for Game 2, which was begun on July 21 but suspended after four and a half innings because of rain. The game was resumed on September 24 at Petco Park with different umpires. but since it was begun as a Braves home game, the Braves were still considered the home team and batted last.

Padres 8, Braves 6 (Padres led 6-5 after seven)

The Braves tied the game in the bottom of the eighth when center fielder Adam Duvall hit a two-out home run into the third row of seats in left center field. It was his seventeenth homer of the year for the Braves and his thirty-ninth overall.

The Padres answered with two runs of their own in the top of the ninth. Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. drew a one-out walk but was forced by second baseman Jake Cronenworth. That brought up first baseman Eric Hosmer, who belted a 1-2 pitch from Braves reliever Tyler Matzek down the left field line and into the first row of seats for what turned out to be a game-winning two run homer, his thirteenth of the year.

Weathers earned the save in this game as well, as the Braves stranded the tying run at second in the bottom of the ninth. This is Weathers' third save of the season and another disallowed save for Melancon, who now has thirty-seven for the year.

HR- SD: Hosmer (13)
ATL: Duvall (39)

S- Weathers (3)
DS- Melancon (37)

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: To be determined,

Thoughts?

 

[Garrett Garlits]

Now for the July 28 doubleheader between the Blue Jays and the Red Sox at Fenway Park.

Game 1:

Blue Jays 4, Red Sox 3 (Blue Jays led 4-1 after seven)

The Red Sox crept closer with two runs in the bottom of the eighth. Left fielder J.D. Martinez led off with a single to left. Right fielder Hunter Renfroe walked to put two men on, but catcher Christian Vazquez struck out swinging for out number one. Center fielder Alex Verdugo followed with a bouncer to short that took a bad hop and went through the legs of Jays second baseman Marcus Semien, allowing Verdugo to reach and loading the bases. Designated hitter Kevin Plawecki followed with a single to right that scored Martinez and Renfroe to bring the Bosox within 4-3. Verdugo went to third on the play, but both runners were stranded when first baseman Bobby Dalbec struck out swinging and second baseman Jarren Duran grounded to short to end the inning.

Jays reliever Adam Cimber stranded runners at first and second in the bottom of the ninth to earn his second save of the year. This means that Jordan Romano's save has been disallowed. He now has twenty-one for the season,

S- Cimber (2)
DS- Romano (21)

Game 2:

Red Sox 4, Blue Jays 1 (Red Sox led 4-1 after seven)

There was no further scoring.

Red Sox reliever Adam Ottavino pitched a scoreless ninth to notch his twelfth save of the season. This means that Matt Barnes' save has been disallowed. He now has twenty-three for the season.

S- Ottavino (12)
DS- Barnes (23)

There were no changes in the standings.

Next: To be determined.

Thoughts?