Media by Associated Press: Chicago White Sox’s Yoan Moncada right, is caught during a rundown by Minnesota Twins third baseman Gio Urshela left, during the seventh inning of a baseball game Monday, July 4, 2022, in Chicago. (AP Photo/Paul Beaty)
Major League Baseball’s schedule caused a bit of a stir on Monday. The Fourth of July, which is typically a big day for the league, featured four teams sitting at home. While there was no explicit reason stated, the Los Angeles Angels, New York Yankees, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates were all scheduled off. It was especially strange for the Yankees, who were also scheduled off on Memorial Day.
The games played on holidays typically have high attendance in the summer, and teams like to be scheduled at home on these days. Four fan bases were disappointed to not have games to watch. However, Yankees players, who had played 20 games in the previous 20 days, were glad to get some relief.
Let’s turn three
The Minnesota Twins made their 6-3 road victory over the Chicago White Sox one to remember Monday night. In the seventh inning, thanks to lazy baserunning from the White Sox, Minnesota was able to turn a triple play. A.J. Pollock set the play in motion by hitting a long fly ball Byron Buxton caught at the wall.
Runners were already on first and second base and were moving when the ball was in the air. Buxton threw the ball into third baseman Gio Urshela, who tagged out Yoan Moncada, who started the play on first base and was retreating to second base, and stepped on second base to force out Adam Engel, who was on second base when Pollock hit the ball.
The play became the first 8-5 triple play in MLB history.
Stat nerd history
MLB has a number of statistical anomalies, due to its long history and the number of games played, that can pop up any minute. The Chicago Cubs and Milwaukee Brewers had a trio of home runs that had never occurred on the same night in league history. Cubs’ Nelson Velazquez hit his first career home run.
Chicago also saw Seiya Suzuki hit an inside-the-park home run in the ninth inning. Milwaukee’s Victor Caratini would also hit a walk-off home run.
Two pitches, one run, game over
The Baltimore Orioles benefitted from the MLB rule that places runners on base to start extra innings in a unique way. The Orioles shut down Texas in the top of the 10th and had Austin Hays as the designated runner on second base. Baltimore had Rougned Odor bunt to advance Hays to third base.
The Rangers then intentionally walked Ramon Urias. Texas pitcher Matt Moore then lost control, hitting the next batter Jorge Mateo, on the first pitch. The hit batsman forced home Hays and allowed Baltimore to score a 7-6 win.
Chasing New York
The Houston Astros have played strong baseball throughout the year but still lag behind the Yankees for the No. 1 in the American League. However, Houston’s recent form has shown they aren’t ready to let the Yankees run away with the league. The Astros, who won the American League last year before losing to the Atlanta Brave in the World Series, have won seven straight games.
Houston now sits 5.5 games behind New York for first place in the AL. The Astros will have more room to close ground as the season progresses as Houston plays in a considerably weaker division. Houston is the only team in the AL West that is above .500, and the Astros have a 13.5 game over second-place Seattle.
The Yankees will be battle-tested throughout the year. Four of the five teams in the AL East, including New York, are above .500 and in the playoff chase.
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