May 5, 2022
1. The Cincinnati Reds are at rock bottom
You notice in the standings when a team is 3–18 on the season, a few days ago. Your shock turns to sympathy, and you start to see if there might be a turnaround. And then, days later, there’s the game last night. The Reds giving up 18 runs. The losing streak continuing for the third additional game in a row.
They’re now 3–21.
At least they got their football team to the Super Bowl this year, right?
2. The NL West is very very good
The one weak link was the Diamondbacks, who had a historically bad record last year — and yet, just like that, as of yesterday even they’ve managed to achieve a .500 record.
3. Adam Wainwright and Yadier Molina tied the all-time record for wins as battery mates
An almost unbelievable feat, considering how much more often starters used to pitch, especially back in the early days of baseball.
And Wainwright had a nearly spotless start yesterday, to hit the mark.
They’re also approaching the record just for games as battery mates, too:
4. The Blue Jays hung on to win and end the Yankees winning streak
They avoid the sweep, they inch back a bit closer in the standings, and Vladdy Guerrero Jr. was as excited as he’s ever been — ending the game in the splits with the ball in his glove at first base.
5. The defensive plays of the day
Baez. Heredia. Then a Rockies double play with flair.
6. Shohei Ohtani is pitching at Fenway Park this afternoon
So far, he’s pitched four scoreless innings (3.47 ERA on the year).
And I think he ricocheted this ball off the sun itself:
7. This was most poorly umpired at-bat of the season
Three pitches. A quick strikeout. None of them strikes.
8. The Angels had a big comeback win late at Fenway last night
Last night, down to their last strike in the ninth, Matt Walsh worked a nine-pitch at-bat and pulled out a base hit to stay alive and tie it.
And then in the tenth, after two outs and not able driving in the runner on second base — they went and scored six runs.
9. The base running moment of the day: Ronald Acuña Jr.
Yep, he’s back.
10. The Dodgers swept the Giants
Just a two-game series, but so far this year that deadlocked two best teams in baseball run they’d been on is tilting in one direction.
11. The painful moment of the day: A foul bonk on the head
Seems like the guy is okay, but ouch.
12. This is why you don’t send your pitcher to the airport early
Like something out of a Major League sequel.
13. Mike Clevinger made his long-awaited return to the mound
14. And lastly, the sights and sounds of minor league baseball
When it’s still chilly and unpleasant up in Michigan, you get out your organ on wheels and simply start to play.
