Tag: Blake Snell

MLB podcast with Bruce Macgowan: Manfred says torpedo bat good for baseball; Dodgers Snell on 15 day IL shoulder inflammation; plus more MLB news

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Dodgers starting pitcher Blake Snell, who struggled at times against the Atlanta Braves on April 2 at Dodger Stadium, has been placed on the injured list. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times)

MLB podcast with Bruce Macgowan:

#1 Major League Commissioner Rob Manfred said that the torpedo bat is “absolutely good for baseball.” After all the attention that the torpedo bat has created Manfred addressed it’s legitmacy saying, “I believe that issues like the torpedo bat and the debate around it demonstrate the fact that baseball still occupies a unique place in our culture,”

#2 Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Blake Snell has been placed on the 15 day IL suffering from left shoulder inflammation. Snell now 1-0 ERA 2.00 in two starts this season. Snell signed with the Dodgers for five years for $182 million.

#3 Due to weather issues the times have changed for the New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers times have been moved up. Wind chills have been forecasted for Monday and Tuesday to be in the 20s. The game that was scheduled from Monday has been moved up from 6:40pm to 3:10 and for Tuesday and Wednesday now at 1:10pm.

#4 Milwaukee Brewers left hand pitcher Nestor Cortes has been placed on the 15 day IL with a flexor strain in his left elbow. The Brewers pitching staff is depleted of their starting pitcher. With Cortes on the shelf the Brewers have Freddy Peralta as their only healthy starting pitcher in the starting rotation.

#5  Los Angeles Dodgers Shohei Ohtani threw a 26 pitch session on Saturday before the Dodgers played the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday. Ohtani making a step closer to returning as a starter for the Dodgers. Ohtani has been out of the pitching rotation since Sep 19, 2023 this was his second bullpen session.

Bruce Magowan is a podcast contributor at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: Braves Strider returns after 1 years absence pitches perfect 2 plus innings; Twins Lewis out with hamstring injury; plus more news

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Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider (00) pitches to the Arizona Diamondbacks at Truist Field in Cobb County GA on Apr 5, 2024. Strider hasn’t pitched in a year since and pitched over two innings of perfect ball against the Boston Red Sox in spring training on Mon Mar 17, 2025 (AP file photo)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1  Atlanta Braves pitcher Spencer Strider made his first appearance in a year to throw 2 2/3 innings of perfect ball against the Boston Red Sox. Strider struck out six of the eight batters he faced. Strider was pleased to return to the mound after being out,  “It was like a little reward sprinkled on the pathway, a good test for the work you’ve been doing.” Strider had Tommy John surgery last season.

#2  Royce Lewis of the Minnesota Twins will miss opening day due to a left hamstring strain injury the Twins announced on Monday. Lewis is the Twins third baseman and the Twins do not know when he will be back. Lewis will have to go on the IL and go through a recovery rehab period.

#3 Jace Jung was demoted from the Detroit Tigers to Triple A Toledo. Jung was trying to earn a spot on the roster at third base for opening day. The Tigers also optioned pitcher Sean Guenther to Toledo and the Tigers now have 39 players on the roster in the Grapefruit League camp in Lakeland Florida. Jung was under consideration to take free agent who went to the Boston Red Sox Alex Bregman’s spot on the roster. Jung was 4 for 33 with a .121 batting average with one home run and two doubles.

#4 There is no doubt that the Los Angeles Dodgers are loaded and are one of the most World Series ready teams in MLB. With an All Star cast, Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Clayton Kershaw, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Teoscar Hernandez, Will Smith, Tyler Glasnow, Roki Sasaki, and Blake Snell just to name a few teams who face the Dodgers are going to have fits.

#5 Amaury, how important is it that the A’s have a grand opening success in Sacramento and a proper introduction to the Sacramento fans in the home opener on Mon Mar 31st at Sutter Health Park in Sacramento?

Amaury Pi-Gonzalez – Cuban-born Pi-González is one of the pioneers of Spanish-language baseball play-by-play in America. Began as Oakland A’s Spanish-language voice in 1977 ending in 2024 (interrupted by stops with the Giants, Mariners and Angels). Voice of the Golden State Warriors from 1992 through 1998. 2010 inducted in the Bay Area Radio Hall of fame.

That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast: How Soto improves Mets World Series chances; Phils to take a chance on Romano; plus more news

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New York Mets outfielder Juan Soto in the sunset will he improve the Mets chances to get into the World Series for 2025? (photo from Stable Diffusion Online)

On That’s Amaury News and Commentary podcast:

#1 The New York Mets odds to make the 2025 World Series went from +1200 to +750 after acquiring Juan Soto on Sunday night. What is your take away on the Mets chances to make the World Series with Soto in the line up and does the Yankees chances diminish now that Soto has left the Bronx?

#2 The Philadelphia Phillies have come to a one year agreement with Jordan Romano. Romano pitched in the 2024 for the Toronto Blue Jays but was suffered injuries and missed some relief duties and later had to have arthroscopic surgery on his right elbow. Romano had four strong seasons pitching before 2024 and was one of the best relief pitchers in baseball with a 2.29 ERA in 200 2/3 innings, 251 strike outs. Romano is taking a physical if he passes he’ll be relieving for the Phillies in 2025.

#3 Japanese pitcher Roki Sasaki was posted to Major League teams and will be able to sign as a free agent on Tue Dec 10 to Thu Jan 23. Chiba Lotte Marines waited for the deadline until they were able to post Sasaki to a Major League team.

#4 Former Pittsburgh Pirate Dave Parker and former Chicago White Sox Dick Allen were elected to the Cooperstown Hall of Fame. Parker was the 1978 National League MVP and Allen was the 1972 American League MVP. Parker hit .290, 339 home runs, 1493 RBIs from 1973-1991. Allen who passed away in 2020 hit .292, 351 home runs, 1119 RBIs.

#5 Their jumping ship in San Francisco for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Outfielder Michael Comforto has signed a one year $17 million contract with the Dodgers. Comforto hit .238, 35 home runs, and 124 RBIs in 255 at bats and played left and right field for the Giants. Comforto is second ex Giant to leave for the Dodgers along with pitcher Blake Snell.

Join Amaury Pi Gonzalez for News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Bumgarner might return in front office; Crawford retires; How do you replace Snell?

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Former Arizona Diamondback and San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner is being considered for a front office role with the Giants according to sources (AP file photo)

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

1. With the Dodgers agreeing to sign Blake Snell to a five-year $182-million deal, how do you think that shapes up the Dodgers and the National League West next season?

2. With deferred money on this contract similar to that of Ohtani’s contract, what impact will this have on the game, and how will “small market” teams respond?

3. With the Giants losing out on Snell, where do they do from there?

4. Brandon Crawford has announced his retirement after a 14-year career. What stands out from his career, and what role could you see with him going forward with the Giants?

5. President of Baseball Operations Buster Posey has expressed interest in bringing Madison Bumgarner in for a role. What kind of role do you imagine?

Stephen Ruderman is a San Francisco Giants beat writer for http://www.sportsradioservice.com

That’s Amaury News and Commentary: 50 years since the First Tommy John surgery

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Tommy John of the Los Angeles Dodgers getting looking over by the Dodgers physician Dr. Frank Jobe in 1974. This season marks the 50th anniversary of Tommy John’s surgery which took place in 1974. It was know as Tommy John surgery due it’s huge success for pitcher to return from shoulder or arm tears (photo by the Los Angeles Dodgers)

50 years since the First Tommy John surgery

That’s Amaury News and Commentary

By Amaury Pi-González

Tommy John pitched for 26 years from 1963 to 1985, including with the Oakland A’s in 1985. His name has been mentioned thousands of times since he had the first ever surgery with his name in 1974. This season marks the half-century anniversary of the once controversial surgery, now, like going to the dentist for a root canal type of surgery.

I was at the press conference at the Oakland Coliseum when the A’s introduced Tommy John, who was wearing an athletics jersey. 1985 was a damaging season for the A’s, winning only 77 games, but there was a rookie by the name of José Canseco making his debut, he was the only hope for the A’s at that time.

José won Rookie of the Year the following season, Monday, August 12. At Oracle Park, the first game of a series between the Atlanta Braves and the San Francisco Giants, two-time Cy Young winner Blake Snell pitched for the Giants, and this year’s #1 candidate for the Cy Young in the National League, Chris Sale, pitched for the Braves.

Blake went 6 1/3 and struck out 11, and Sale completed seven innings and struck out 12. Braves won 1-0 in ten innings. Even though it is rare to see this type of pitching, it is considered by many a “pitcher’s duel”. But pitcher duels belonged to pitchers that went the distance, which is (9) nine innings. In 1999, while broadcasting SF Giants radio en Español at Candlestick Park, the great Juan Marichal dropped into our booth as a visitor and sat to talk about pitching.

I remember asking him, Juan, “What would you have said to your manager or pitching coach if he told you, “Juan, give me six good innings.” Juan smiled and responded, “I would have laughed at his face.” What do you mean by six good innings?

Juan Marichal pitched for 16 years and completed 244 games, winning 243 of those and ‘for good measure’ the Dominican Dandy tjhrew 52 shutouts. Tommy John pitched a total of 4,710 1/3 innings won 288 games lost 231 with a 3.34 ERA.

Joe Roegele, who tracks Tommy John surgeries as an injury analyst for MLB, says the surgery has increased by 29 percent by pitchers who throw at the highest level since 2016. In 2023, 35% of all MLB pitchers have had the surgery.

Roegele added, “I don’t want to say it’s inevitable, but when you throw it overhand, it’s an unnatural motion. (About this surgery) Tommy John Surgery, more formally known as ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) reconstruction, is used to repair a torn ulnar collateral ligament inside the elbow.

A UCL is a ligament on the inner side of your elbow that helps secure your elbow joint. Some people, typically athletes who play throwing sports, may experience UCL tears. For the last time in history the San Francisco Giants will face the Oakland A’s this Saturday and Sunday at the Oakland Alameda County Coliseum for two. afternoon games. KIQI 1010AM/990 covering the Bay Area and Sacramento will have all the live action.

Amaury Pi Gonzalez does the live play by play with Manolo Hernandez Douen on the Oakland A’s Spanish radio network at 1010 KIQI San Francisco and 990 KATD Pittsburg and does News and Commentary at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Derrick Hill joins Marlins after short stint with Giants; After no hitter is Giants Snell back on track? plus more news

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Former San Francisco Giant Derrick Hill was designated for assignment and picked up by the Miami Marlins. Hill who grew up in Northern California as a Giants fan was traded to the Miami Marlins. Hill had played on 21 games this season with the Giants and Texas Rangers. (Getty photo)

On Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 Former San Francisco Giant outfielder Derrick Hill has found a new home with the Miami Marlins. Hill joined the Marlins on Saturday. Hill was placed on waivers by the Giants on Friday. Hill didn’t stay in San Francisco very long he joined the Giants on July 23rd going 3 for 12 until his release on Friday. Hill played for the Texas Rangers and Giants in 21 games. Hill batted .255, with three home runs and seven RBIs.

#2 Giants starter Blake Snell three Major League Baseball’s third no hitter of this season Friday night at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati. The closest the Cincinnati Reds got to a hit was in the ninth inning when the Red Elly Del La Cruz hit a ball to right center in the gap that was chased down by right fielder Mike Yastrzemski that helped preserve the no hitter. Snell had a difficult start of the season does the no hitter pretty much mean he’s back on track.

#3 The St Louis Cardinals who were looking for a shot in the arm got one when they acquired outfielder Tommy Pham from the Chicago White Sox. In Pham’s first at bat since joining the Cards he got a standing ovation in his first at bat since returning to the team that first signed him in 2006. Pham said the ovation gave him goose bumps and that he’ll remember it the rest of his life. The Cards have won four of their last ten games are in second place in the NL Central and are five and half games out of first place.

#4 Charlie, your right about the New York Yankees Aaron Judge clubbed a 477 foot home run in the first inning of Friday night’s game against the Toronto Blue Jays at Yankee Stadium. Judge collected his 41st home run of the season off Jays pitcher Jose Berrios. On Saturday in the second inning when Judge came up to the plate Jay’s manager John Schneider didn’t take any chances and walked Judge with the bases empty in his first at bat of the game. Yankees rained boos down on the Jays for walking

#5 According JMP Securities analyst Mitch Germain said that the Oakland A’s financing their share of the construction costs for the Las Vegas ballpark is in a holding pattern. Germain said the A’s have hit a roadblock. This has been going on for sometime that A’s owner John Fisher needs to come up with his share of the construction costs. Bally’s who just bought out Standard General’s share at $4.6 billion is going forward with their plans for a Casino and Hotel ballpark or no ballpark. But one thing for sure the A’s obligation for financing the park is in a holding pattern.

Join Charlie O’s for Headline Sports podcasts Sundays at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Blake Snell no-hits Reds in Cincinnati for long-awaited first Giants’ win

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San Francisco Giants starter Blake Snell was dealing against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati as seen here in the bottom of the sixth inning on Fri Aug 2, 2024 (AP News photo)

Friday, Aug. 2, 2024

Great American Ballpark

Cincinnati, Ohio

San Francisco Giants 3 (55-56)

Los Angeles Dodgers 0 (52-57)

Win: Blake Snell (1-3)

Loss: Andrew Abbott (9-8)

Time: 2:16 (1:00 rain delay)

Attendance: 28,075

By Stephen Ruderman

Blake Snell made history again Friday night, as he threw a no-hitter against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ballpark in the most impressive and improbable way to finally get his first win as a Giant.

The Giants were coming off a much-needed 5-1 homestand, which was capped off by a complete game shutout by Logan Webb in a 1-0 win over the Oakland A’s on Wednesday. Friday night, the Giants were back on the road in the band box known as Great American Ballpark in Cincinnati to take on the Cincinnati Reds.

With thunderstorms around Cincinnati, there was a delay of exactly one hour prior to the start of the game. Then the Reds and their starter, Andrew Abbott, took the field.

With one out in the top of the first inning, Mark Canha drew a walk in his first plate appearance as a Giant, and Matt Chapman singled to left field with two outs. Patrick Bailey then popped out to first base, and the Giants were unable to come through.

Blake Snell took the ball Friday night in what would be his first start since the Giants chose not to sell him at the Trade Deadline. After an abysmal start to his season, Snell has been nails in his last five starts.

Snell took a perfect game into the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins in the first half finale on July 14. Then in the first game of the Giants’ doubleheader against the Colorado Rockies this past Saturday, he struck out 15 in six innings, becoming the first pitcher in Modern National League/American League History to strike out 15 in the first six innings of a game.

However, Snell was still lacking that elusive first win as a Giant. He would have a challenge going against a young jumpstart Reds’ team in Great American Ballpark, one of the most live parks in all of Baseball. Snell got his night off to a nice start, as he struck out the side with a 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the first.

Abbott retired the first two Giants he faced in the top of the second, but with two outs, Casey Schmitt hit a bomb into the second deck out in left field to put the Giants on the board. Marco Luciano then lined a base-hit to left, and Tyler Fitzgerald doubled to left to score Luciano and make it 2-0.

Abbott pitched a scoreless top of the third and a 1-2-3 top of the fourth. Snell, meanwhile, threw a scoreless bottom of the second, as well a pair of 1-2-3 innings in the third and fourth.

Fitzgerald and Canha singled to start the top of the sixth. After Heliot Ramos struck out swinging for the first out, Reds Manager David Bell pulled Abbott for Buck Farmer, who got out of the inning unscathed.

Snell struggled a bit in the bottom of the fifth after he issued a pair of walks, but that would be it, and the Giants kept their 2-0 lead going to the sixth. Farmer and Snell both pitched 1-2-3 innings in the sixth, and as the game went to the seventh, you couldn’t help but notice that the Reds still had a bagel in the hit column.

Fitzgerald hit a home run to left-center off Nick Martinez with one out in the top of the seventh to make it 3-0. Snell then threw a nine-pitch 1-2-3 inning in the bottom of the seventh.

Sam Moll threw a 1-2-3 top of the eighth for Cincinnati, and Snell came back out for the bottom of the eighth.

Jeimer Candelario would be the first man Snell would face in the bottom of the eighth. Candelario worked the count full, but Snell perfectly placed a 97-MPH fastball right at the knees for strike three. TJ Friedl flew out to left, and Stuart Fairchild grounded out to short, as Snell had pitched through the eighth inning for the first time, ever, in his great career.

After Fernando Cruz threw a 1-2-3 inning in the top of the ninth for the Reds, Snell, who had thrown 108 pitches, came out for the bottom of the ninth to try and finish the job. It would be the first time that Snell would ever pitch in the ninth inning in his career.

The first hitter for Cincinnati was Santiago Espinal, who struck out swinging for the first out. Jonathan India then grounded out back to the mound on the first on the first first pitch, and Snell was now an out away from history.

It was fitting that the final man up would be the Reds’ young star, Elly De La Cruz. You would have expected a long and spirited at-bat, but Cruz swung at the first pitch and hit a semi-low-hanging fly ball out to right-center, and as Giants’ right-fielder Mike Yastrzemski waltzed over to his right to make the catch, Blake Snell had his no-hitter.

Snell was hugged by his catcher, Patrick Bailey, and they were instantly joined by their teammates, who had poured out of the dugout to celebrate at the mound. It was a magical night for Snell and the Giants.

This was the 18th no-hitter in Giants’ franchise history, and the 10th in San Francisco. This was the Giants’ first no-hitter since Chris Heston no-hit the New York Mets at Citi Field on June 9, 2015.

Two Giants’ pitchers have come within an out of a no hitter since: Matt Moore on Aug. 25, 2016 against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium, and Alex Cobb against these very Cincinnati Reds on Aug. 29 last year. However, neither could complete the job.

What’s also impressive is that after Logan Webb’s complete game shutout against the A’s on Wednesday the Giants have gotten back-to-back complete game shutouts from their starters.

As for Snell, he threw 114 pitches, walked three and struck out 11. Snell has won two Cy Young awards, which makes it all the more baffling that he had not even pitched eight full innings in a game prior to Friday night.

And yes, Snell finally got his first win as a Giant. Andrew Abbott took the loss for Cincinnati.

The Giants have now won six of their last seven, as they improve to 55-56. They will have a chance to get back up to .500 with a win Friday night. The problem is that the Giants are 2-10 when they’ve had a chance to get back up to .500 this season. Though perhaps Friday night was the spark that will finally truly get things going for this team.

The Giants will try to get back up to .500 for the third time this season with left-hander Kyle Harrison (6-4, 3.69 ERA) on the mound. Opposing Harrison for the Reds will be right-hander Hunter Greene (7-4, 2.97 ERA) for Saturday night. It will be a nationally-televised game on FOX, as the first pitch will be at 7:15 p.m. in Cincinnati, and 4:15 p.m. back home in San Francisco.

Giants News and Notes:

This is the first time that Giants’ pitchers have thrown back-to-back complete game shutouts since Livan Hernandez and Jason Schmidt threw complete game shutouts on Aug. 19 and 20, 2002.

Lost in all of this is the plethora of roster moves the Giants made prior to the game.

David Villar was sent back to Sacramento, and Derek Hill was designated for assignment.

Mark Canha was of course activated onto the roster after the Giants acquired him from the Detroit Tigers on Tuesday. Canha went 2-for-3 in his Giants’ debut Friday night.

The Giants called outfielder Jerar Encarnacion from Sacramento. Encarnacion hit .352 with 10 home runs in just 33 games for the River Cats. Encarnacion started tonight and went 0-for-4 with a pair of strikeouts.

Sean Hjelle was activated off the Bereavement List.

San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman: Hicks nearing career high innings pitched per season; Cobb in bullpen sessions; plus more news

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San Francisco Giants pitcher Jordan Hicks (left) is lifted for a reliever by Giants manager Bob Melvin (right) in the top of the fifth inning against the Houston Astros at Oracle Park in San Francisco on Wed Jun 12, 2024 (AP News photo)

On the San Francisco Giants podcast with Stephen Ruderman:

#1 Jordan Hicks is on a pace to exceed his career high of 77 2/3 innings pitched when first broke in the majors in 2018. Hicks who struggled against the Houston Astros on Tuesday night pitched 4 2/3 innings and is at 71 2/3 innings and needs six more innings to go.

#2 On Tuesday RHP Alex Cobb has been throwing in bullpen sessions. Cobb had to come out twice in games due to shoulder irritation. Cobb had been receiving nerve medication and threw a 25 pitch bullpen session which drew a good number of coaches and teammates to watch Cobb’s progress.

#3 Stephen, talk about Marco Luciano’s improvement from his hamstring injury. Luciano was running up the first base line when he injured the hamstring back on May 29th and was placed on the 10 day IL. Talk about how he’s been missed in the starting line up for the Giants.

#4 Nick Ahmed’s return from his left wrist sprain is mid June. Ahmed after getting injured did have a setback on June 1st but has been making progress at Triple A Sacramento. Ahmed came out of May 9th’s loss to the Rockies. Talk about his injury and how he’s needed in the line up.

#5 Giants pitcher Blake Snell whose been snake bitten all season is looking to get back in the rotation with a projection of late June. Snell left on June 3rd in the middle of pitching to a hitter. This is the second time on the IL for Snell this season. The first time he was out with a adductor strain.

Stephen Ruderman covers the San Francisco Giants and podcasts at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica Kwong: Mavericks-Celtics battle in game 1 Finals tonight; Giants Snell out again with groin injury; plus more news

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Dallas Mavericks guard Luka Doncic is all smile at the post game conference following the Mavericks win over the Minnesota Timberwolves in game 5 of the Western Conference Finals in Minneapolis on Thu May 30, 2024 (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast with Jessica:

#1 The Boston Celtics host the Dallas Mavericks in game 1 of the NBA Finals. One of the advantages that the Celtics have opening up these Finals is that they home court advantage and have two top star shooters in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.

#2 The Mavericks in their own right have Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving both who scored 36 points each against the Minnesota Timberwolves in game 5 on Thursday to advance to the Finals.

#3 How often would you expect that a two time Cy Young winner in San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Blake Snell who started with his new team to go out twice with a groin injury. Snell when he does make a start had been lit up and has a 0-3 record and a large ERA at 9.51.

#4 The last player to be suspended for life in baseball was former Cincinnati Reds manager Pete Rose now baseball is cracking down again suspending four players and giving a lifetime ban to San Diego Padres minor league infielder Tucupita Marcana for making 387 bets totaling $150,000.

#5 Jessica, the NHL Stanley Cup Finals between the Edmonton Oilers and Florida Panthers. The Oilers took out the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference Finals 4-2 and the Panthers took out the New York Rangers 4-2 in the Eastern Conference Finals. What’s your take as the Oilers and Panthers face off on Saturday night?

Join Jessica for Headline Sports every other Wednesday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O: Yanks Gil 14 K’s career high; Orioles Grayson back in rotation; plus more news

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New York Yankees starter Luis Gil pitches into the top of the second inning against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium in New York on the way to a career high 14 strikeouts on Sat May 18, 2024 (AP News photo)

Headline Sports podcast with Charlie O:

#1 The New York Yankees have a lot of history and rookie pitcher Luis Gil just added to another page to the history books with the most strikeouts thrown by a rookie with 14 against the Chicago White Sox in a 6-1 win.

#2 The Baltimore Orioles activated RHP Grayson Rodriguez from the 15 day IL who started against the Seattle Mariners on Saturday. Rodriguez came back from a shoulder inflammation injury. Rodriguez one of the keys to the Orioles pitching staff is 4-1 with a 3.71 ERA.

#3 Former Los Angeles Angels infielder David Fletcher and who is playing infield for the Atlanta Braves triple A affiliate has reportedly been placing bets with the same Los Angeles bookmaker Matthew Bowyer that Shohei Ohtani’s interpreter Ippei Mizuhara used. Fletcher’s close friend Colby Schultz who played in the Kansas City Royals farm system from 2018-2020 bet on baseball during his playing days. It was reported that Fletcher did not bet on baseball.

#4 On San Francisco Giants pitcher Blake Snell, Snell returned to pitch at the Giants triple A affiliate you might have heard of them the Sacramento Rivercats. Snell was out with a shoulder injury threw five innings of no hit baseball and struck out ten batters.

#5 The Chicago Cubs rookie pitcher Shota Imanaga got into the history books by recording the lowest ERA 0.84 for any rookie in his first nine starts since it was last done back in 1913. Looking at Imanaga reaction after striking out his seventh batter he was even amazed at himself.

Join Charlie O for Headline Sports podcasts each Sunday at http://www.sportsradioservice.com