There’s a small but toxic cadre of Bader haters in Cardinal Nation who are vocally claiming he misplayed the ball despite the video showing all the outfielders had been pulled in for a “no bloop” defense and that Bader had a perfect approach to the ball, just couldn’t catch up to it.
The plate umpire in yesterday’s Angels/Dodgers game was forced to exit after being hit in the face, between the bars of his mask, by a broken bat on a Mike Trout single.
An immaculate inning-- an inning in which nine pitches are thrown for three strikeouts-- had only been achieved 104 times in MLB history prior to today’s game between the Astros and Rangers.
Astros starter Luis Garcia and reliever Phil Maton both achieved the feat in the same game today in Houston’s 9-2 win, marking the first time that two immaculate innings have been recorded in the same contest.
I have just learned that in an even more unlikely turn of events, those two immaculate innings were against the same three batters.
What’s almost as impressive is the home plate umpire quickly getting out of the way to give Maldonado a shot at it.
It looks like the Yankees have put together a team for the ages. The only thing that can derail it is if Chapman gets healthy and Boone lets him blow every save in the playoffs. Who had Judge in CF as their preseason prediction? He’s played is surprisingly well, though it seems a waste of a great arm. Some people carp about not having a big time offensive catcher, but Higashioka and Trevino are both quality defensive catchers and their offense has been quite adequate.
In non-MLB news, I took the family to a Savannah Bananas game last night while on vacation. It is everything Bill Veeck could have imagined, and more. I haven’t had so much fun at a baseball game in a long long time, and that was all before the first inning started. Concessions are mostly free - hot dogs, hamburgers, grilled chicken sandwiches, popcorn, soda, water, chips, cookies - it’s all free. 2 premium craft beers, Cracker Jack and cotton candy cost me $18 total, so they’re not bleeding you to upgrade your food experience.
We were certainly concerned that the 95 degree heat wave was going to chase us out - and they’ve sold out every game they’ve ever had, so you were going to be packed into the seats (everything’s general admission, unless you have premium season tickets). But shaded seats are plentiful, and giant ceiling fans kept us relatively comfortable.
And we weren’t lacking for entertainment. The kids were constantly engaged with on-field and in-stand shenanigans, be they from the dancing Banana Nanas (a group of older ladies with some choreographed moves), the male cheerleading squad the Man-nanas, or the ever-present owner of the operation, decked out in his bright yellow tuxedo who MCed the whole affair.
If you’re ever planning a trip to Savannah, and want to catch a game, plan ahead - they sell out before the season begins. There’s a Facebook group that keeps track of promotional tickets for sale, which is where I got mine (I wasn’t about to pay StubHub rates, which were seats going for $200). The Bananas support a lot of local charities, and offer them the chance to sell tickets for $18 ($6 over the face value) to raise money. Our boys are little, so we didn’t last past the 4inning, but we sure got our money’s worth.
Another day, another no-hitter broken up in the ninth inning:
Washington Nationals continue to struggle. They were swept at home by Atlanta by a combined 27-11. Good thing it was only three games.
“Tomorrow’s another day.”
“Yeah, but it might be worse!”
Baseball history buffs may also know that there has only been one immaculate inning recorded in a World Series game. Danny Jackson of the Royals accomplished the feat in the 7th inning of Game 5 of the 1985 Series against the Cardinals.
Did the announcers even realize it? It seems like one of those things that tends to fly under the radar.
I doubt the term was even coined in 1985.
Severino just went on the COVID list.
Schmitt is starting in his place, 3 innings of 1 hit ball so far against Tampa.
Anthony Rendon will have season-ending wrist surgery.
Wow, the Nats really struck pay dirt with both him and Stras in 2019, and that was the best year either one of them has had since.
I’m at a Chicago sports bar and the White Sox fans are PISSED that the Sox game is one of those Apple TV games tonight. They’ve been pregaming for a while.
Wild happenings in the 9th and 10th innings of the Nats/Phillies night cap.
With runners on first and third, Nelson Cruz hit what looked like an easy ground ball to end the game, but the fielder misplayed it and the first baseman couldn’t hang onto the ball. The Nats scored to tie the game, and ultimately send it into extra innings.
In the top of the 10th inning, a hit scored a Phillies runner, and a second Phillies runner was awarded home plate because one of our guys interfered with him between second and third, trying to make a play on the infield dirt. Nats manager Davey Martinez was incensed, and got tossed. That one run ultimately proved to be the difference in the ball game, as the Nats scored one run in the bottom of the frame but couldn’t get a second across.
Was actually watching that game on my iPad in a sports bar in Chicago, crazy game but at least it was fun.
I’m not sure the term “immaculate inning” even existed then.