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MLB Preview: Colorado Rockies (5-9) at Seattle Mariners (6-8)

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MLB Preview: Colorado Rockies (5-9) at Seattle Mariners (6-8)

COLORADO ROCKIES NOTES:

WHAT’S HAPPENING
• The Colorado Rockies play the second of three games in Seattle tonight following their first homestand of the season in Denver … split a four-game series against the Washington Nationals to begin the homestand before dropping two of three to the Cardinals.

• The Rockies are in Seattle for the first time since July 20-21, 2021 when the two teams split a two-game set … Colorado is 25-27 all-time against the Mariners, 13-15 in the Emerald City … have won nine of the last 15 meetings in Seattle since July 2, 2006.

42
• RHP Armando Reynoso is the only player in Colorado Rockies history to don the number 42, sporting the uniform as a Rockie from 1993-96 prior to Major League Baseball universally retiring Jackie Robinson’s number in 1997.

• Reynoso went 12-11 with a 4.00 ERA (189.0 IP, 84 ER) through 30 starts in the Rockies’ inaugural season and was 30-31 with a 4.65 ERA (503.0 IP, 260 ER) overall through 89 games (87 starts) in his Rockies career.

AS DÍAZ DOES
• Elias Díaz has reached base in 11-straight games (.412/.474/.676) and 12 of 13 games with a plate appearance this season (.357/.426/.571) … his on-base streak is tied for the longest of his career recorded Aug. 14-30, 2021 (.316/.366/.605).

• His eight-game hitting streak (.500/.538/.792) is also tied for the longest of his career, matching a stretch from July 11-27, 2022 (.467/.543/.800).

• His .357 average (15-for-42) is tied for the sixth-best in the National League and his 15 hits are the second-most among Major League catchers trailing Baltimore’s Adley Rutschman (20 hits).

HOME RUN OR GO HOME
• The Rockies are 0-9 this season when allowing at least one home run and 5-0 when not giving up a long ball … this is the deepest any team has gone into a season with their results entirely parallel to whether they allowed a home run since the 2002 Giants did so in 15-straight to begin the year (via Stats Perform).

TIME FLIES WHEN YOU’RE HAVING FUN
• Through 13 games, the Rockies average game time of 2:33 is slightly below the league average of 2:38 … in 2022, the Rockies did not play a game shorter than 2:33 until their 21st game of the season, a 4-3 win over Cincinnati on April 30 (2:31) … 16 of their games across that span were over three hours … Colorado has yet to play a game in 2023 that has lasted longer than three hours (longest: 2:56).

• The Rockies’ shortest game of the season was a 2:03 affair April 2 in San Diego, the 12th-shortest game in Rockies’ history, the shortest since a 1:58 time of game on July 1, 2008 … in that contest, Aaron Cook tossed a 79-pitch complete-game shutout against the Padres at Coors Field, one of only nine CGSO tossed at Coors Field at the time.

• The shortest game in team history came on June 30, 2006 at Seattle when the Rockies topped the Mariners 2-0 in 1:52.

FIRE UP THE FOUNTAINS
• C.J. Cron’s four home runs are tied for the sixth-most in the National League … his home run last Saturday measuring 479 feet is the third-longest in the Majors this season trailing Giancarlo Stanton (485’) and Jarred Kelenic (482’).

• The Rockies have hit 15 home runs through 14 games thus far in the season … their average of 1.07 home runs per game is up from the team’s 0.92 mark in 2022 and their 1.00 mark on the road surpasses the Rockies’ 0.63 mark from last season.

THIS N’ THAT
• Since allowing one earned run in his first outing of the season, LHP Brad Hand has put together five consecutive scoreless appearances (3.2 IP), striking out seven through this span.

• Elias Díaz’ .400 (6-for-15) batting average with runners in scoring position is tied for the seventh-highest in the Majors (min. 15 at-bats).

• Charlie Blackmon has a hit in six-straight games … slashing .391/.482/.435 through this span.

KBOOM
• Kris Bryant has reached base safely in 20-straight games dating back to July 24, 2022 at Milwaukee, hitting safely in 18 of 20 games across that span (.346/.414/.513) … it is the second-longest active on-base streak in the Majors behind Shohei Ohtani’s 35-game streak, and the longest in the NL.

• Bryant has reached base in 50 of his 55 games played with the Rockies.

ROCKIES STARTING PITCHER #18 RYAN FELTNER RHP
YOUNG GUN
• The now-26-year-old rookie right-hander made 20 appearances and 19 starts in 2022 in his first full season with the Rockies … went 4-9 Rockies 6-13) with a 6.03 ERA (94.0, 63 ER) in his 19 starts (four QS), walking 33 and striking out 82.

• Was selected by the Rockies in the fourth round of the 2018 First-Year Player Draft out of Ohio State University.

• Born in Orlando, Florida but attended Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio … was the 2015 Ohio Gatorade Baseball Player of the Year and was selected by Toronto in the 25th round of the 2015 Draft but chose to attend Ohio State.

HOW IT’S GOING
• Did not get a decision in the Rockies 7-6 win over the Nationals on Sunday, allowing three runs on six hits over five innings while walking three and striking out three.

• Took the loss in his first start on April 3, allowing five runs over 4.2 innings to the Dodgers in Los Angeles.

• His five walks against the Dodgers established a career high while his seven strikeouts matched a career high (5x, last: Sept. 5, 2022 vs. Milwaukee).

404 NOT FOUND
• Before today, has never faced the Seattle Mariners … has only faced one American League team, taking the loss on June 26 in Minnesota while allowing five runs on eight hits across four innings.

• Prior to today’s outing, has faced 14 of the 30 Major League teams.

HOME HAPPENINGS
• In 2022, went 2-4 (Rockies 4-4) with a 6.46 ERA (39.0 IP, 28 ER) across eight starts at Coors Field, walking 15 and striking out 33 … allowed five home runs while opponents hit .248 (38-for-153).

• Tossed seven one-run innings in his first start at Coors Field May 30 vs. Miami, allowing four hits with one walk and six strikeouts … the lone run came on a solo homer from Jesús Sánchez … tossed at least six innings just once in his seven remaining home starts, posting a 7.59 ERA (32.0 IP, 27 ER).

• Lone career relief appearance came July 29 vs. Los Angeles-NL, tossing 3.1 shutout innings with three hits, two walks and two strikeouts.

ROAD WOES
• Posted a 5.73 ERA (55.0 IP, 35 ER) across 11 road starts in 2022, logging a 2-5 record (Rockies 2-9) with 18 walks and 49 strikeouts … opponents slashed .281/.338/.484 with 11 home runs (61-for-217).

• Allowed three or fewer runs in seven of 11 starts, but failed to make it to the sixth inning in five of those seven and in eight of 11 road starts overall.

BODY OF WORK
• Through his first 23 career starts has gone 4-11 with a 6.46 ERA (110.0 IP, 79 ER), 46 walks and 98 strikeouts … his 6.46 ERA ranks as the third-highest in franchise history through a Rockies pitcher’s first 23 starts, trailing Mark Thompson (6.62) and Bryan Rekar (6.53).

• Was one of three pitchers in franchise history to have 10 losses through his first 20 career starts, along with Eddie Butler (2014-16) and Tyler Matzek (2014-15) … his .286 winning percentage ranks as the second-lowest through a starter’s first 21 starts in franchise history, behind Drew Pomeranz’ .250 winning percentage (2011-12) … has received 12 runs of support across his 10 career losing decisions with no runs of support in six of the starts.

SKIP A GRADE
• Had his contract selected by the Rockies on Sept. 5, 2021 from Double-A Hartford, the first Rockies starter to skip Triple-A and go straight to the Majors since Antonio Senzatela, who finished the 2016 season with Hartford before making the 2017 Rockies Opening Day roster … the last Rockies starter to go straight from Double-A to the Majors without making a start at Triple-A in a single season was Chad Bettis in 2013 (Double-A Tulsa to debut on Aug. 1, 2013 at Atlanta).

• Began the 2021 season with High-A Spokane where he went 3-1 with a 2.17 ERA (37.1 IP, 9 ER) in seven starts … promoted to Double-A Hartford on June 17 and went 5-2 with a 2.85 ERA, 22 walks and 80 strikeouts in 13 starts with the Yard Goats.

FREQUENT FLIER
• Recalled from Triple-A Albuquerque on Aug. 5 in place of Chad Kuhl (15-day IL, right hip flexor strain), his fifth stint on the active roster this season, not including a stint as the 27th man in the Aug. 2 doubleheader in San Diego … remained in the rotation after Antonio Senzatela torn his ACL.

• Recalled for the first time on April 27 and made his season debut that day at Philadelphia before being optioned on May 1 … recalled a second time May 25 and made three starts (1-1, 5.40) before being optioned on June 5 … recorded his first Major League win on May 30 vs. Miami, tossing a career-high seven innings and allowing one run on four hits.

• Recalled a third time on June 11 and made three starts, going 0-1 with a 6.59 ERA (13.2 IP, 10 ER) … was originally optioned to Albuquerque on June 27, but the option was rescinded and he was instead put on the 15-day injured list with a right rhomboid strain … reinstated from the IL and optioned to Albuquerque on July 12.

• Recalled for the fourth time July 29 and pitched 3.1 scoreless innings of relief against the Dodgers at Coors Field that night, his first professional relief appearance … optioned the next day.

• Served as the 27th man in the Rockies’ Aug. 2 doubleheader against San Diego … started the second game, allowing three runs through 3.2 innings.

TRIPLE DIP
• In 11 starts for Triple-A Albuquerque in 2022, went 5-1 with a 3.83 ERA (51.2 IP, 22 ER), 49 hits, 18 walks and 60 strikeouts.

• Went 1-0 with a 4.05 ERA (13.1 IP, 6 ER), six walks and 12 strikeouts in three starts in July, including one rehab start on July 7.

• Earned the win in his last start, July 24 vs. Sugar Land, allowing two runs on four hits across five innings.

CUP OF COFFEE
• Made two starts for the Rockies in 2021, his Major League debut on Sept. 5 vs. Atlanta at Coors Field and Sept. 12 at Philadelphia … combined to go 0-1 with a 11.37 ERA (6.1 IP, 8 ER), eight hits, five walks and six strikeouts.

• Did not factor into the Rockies’ 5-4 at Citizens Bank Park in his second start, allowing two runs on four hits with three walks and six strikeouts … struck out Jean Segura in the first inning for his first Major League strikeout.

BEFORE TIMES
• Did not pitch in 2020 due to the cancellation of the Minor League season.

• Spent the entire 2019 season with Low-A Asheville, where he went 9-9 with a 5.07 ERA (119.0 IP, 67 ER), 46 walks and 116 strikeouts … tied for the team lead in wins and starts and ranked second in strikeouts and innings pitched.

• Made nine starts with Rookie Level Grand Junction in his professional debut in 2018 … posted a 0.88 ERA (30.2 IP, 3 ER), four walks and 39 strikeouts … tossed 18 consecutive scoreless innings in a span of five starts from Aug. 3-26.

O-H-I-O
• Spent three seasons with Ohio State (2015-18), posting a career record of 9-14 with a 4.88 ERA, 102 walks and 204 strikeouts in 34 starts … ranked tied for 24th in career strikeouts.

• Went 5-5 with a 4.52 ERA his junior season … listed as the Top 2018 Big Ten Prospect by D1baseball and Perfect Game, and the No. 3 prospect by Baseball America.

• Three-time Scholar Athlete (2016-17) and two-time Academic All-Big Ten (2017, 2018) … majored in communications.

SEATTLE MARINERS NOTES:

TONIGHT’S TILT…the Mariners continue a 9-game, 10-day homestand with the 2nd of 3 games against Colorado (1-0)…Seattle will also host Milwaukee (3 G, 4/17-19) and St. Louis (3 G, 4/21-23) at T-Mobile Park during the current homestand…tonight’s game against the Rockies will be televised live on ROOT SPORTS with Dave Sims and Ryan Rowland-Smith on the call and broadcast live on Seattle Sports (710 AM) and Mariners.com with Rick Rizzs and Aaron Goldsmith.

ODDS AND ENDS…the Mariners opened their second homestand of the season last night with a 5-3 win over Colorado…the Mariners offense has scored 5+ runs in 3 consecutive games…the Mariners have won back-to-back games, and are 4-3 over their last 7 games…Seattle went 3-3 on the recent road trip to Cleveland (2-1) and Chicago-NL (1-2).

• Interleague George – In 3 career interleague appearances, George Kirby has a 1.06 ERA (2 ER, 17.0 IP) with 16 strikeouts and just 1 walk…among active players with at least 3 career interleague starts, Kirby’s 1.06 ERA is the lowest, ranking ahead of Tanner Houck-BOS (1.31) and Aaron Ashby-MIL (1.33).

• Steak Streak – Jarred Kelenic is the first Mariners player age 23-or-younger to record an RBI in 5+ consecutive games (6 G, 4/8-c) since Alex Rodriguez recorded an RBI in 7-consecutive games from July 1-7, 1999.

• Extra-Hard-Hit – Jarred Kelenic leads the Majors in extra-base hits (8) of at least 105 mph, ranking ahead of Matt Chapman-TOR, Rafael Devers-BOS and Matt Olson-ATL with 7 apiece.

• 15 Consecutive – Today marks the fifth of 15 consecutive interleague games for Seattle: at Chicago-NL (1-2), vs. Colorado (4/14-16), vs. Milwaukee (4/17-19), vs. St. Louis (4/21-23) and at Philadelphia (4/25-27)…Seattle will face interleague opponents in back-to-back series only one other time during the 2023 schedule: Sept. 1-3 at New York-NL and Sept. 4-6 at Cincinnati.

• Efficiency – Last night, Gabe Speier became the third Mariners pitcher in the pitch-tracking era (since 1988) to record 3 outs on 2-or-fewer pitches in an outing, joining Jeff Nelson (July 13, 1995) and J.J. Putz (July 4, 2007)…in Nelson’s outing, he threw only one pitch, inducing a triple play in the top of the ninth inning vs. Toronto.

HONORING JACKIE…today marks the 76th anniversary of Jackie Robinson’s historic MLB Debut and also the 26th anniversary of then-MLB Commissioner Bud Selig’s announcement that Robinson’s No. 42 would be retired across MLB…10-years after Commissioner Selig’s landmark announcement, Ken Griffey Jr. requested and received permission to wear No. 42 on Jackie Robinson Day…in 2009, the practice of every player, coach and manager wearing No. 42 on April 15 became a new tradition.

BOMBS AWAY…Jarred Kelenic has hit a home run in a career-high 4 consecutive games, tied for the longest streak in the Majors this season (also: Brandon Lowe-TB, April 8-11)…Kelenic is the first Mariners player to homer in 4+ consecutive games since Tom Murphy from Aug. 13-20, 2019, and is the first Mariners player age 23-or-younger to homer in 4+ consecutive games since Ken Griffey Jr. homered in 8 consecutive at the age of 23 from July 20-28, 1993, tied for an MLB record…with a home run in tonight’s game Jarred would become the 6th player in franchise history to homer in 5+ consecutive games (done 7x), and the first since Nelson Cruz posted 2 individual 5 HR streaks during the 2015 season (July 31-Aug 4 & April 11-15).

JK: JUST KRUSHING…Jarred Kelenic went 2-for-4 with 2 runs scored, 1 double, 1 home run and 2 RBI in last night’s game to extend his career-high hitting streak to 8-games (4/5-c)…during the streak, he is batting .464 (13×28) with 7 runs, 4 doubles, 4 home runs, 7 RBI, 3 walks and 1 stolen base, while reaching base at a .516 clip and slugging .1.036 (1.552 OPS)…overall this season, he ranks 3rd in the Majors with a 1.203 OPS after 12 games, trailing only Matt Chapman-TOR (1.318) and Luis Arraez-MIA (1.253)…his 1.203 OPS is the best by any player 23-or-younger over their first 12 games of a season since Ronald Acuña Jr. posted a 1.500 OPS over 12 games to begin the 2021 season and Juan Soto who posted a 1.445 OPS over 12 games to begin the 2020 season.

TY IS THAT GUY…Ty France went 1-for-3 with 1 double and 1 hit-by-pitch in last night’s game, extending his hitting streak to 11 games…it’s the 2nd-longest hitting streak of his career, trailing only a 13-game streak from May 18 – June 1, 2022…during the current streak, Ty is batting .354 (17×48) with 11 runs, 6 doubles, 8 RBI, 4 walks, 2 hit-by-pitch and 1 stolen base, while getting on base at a .426 clip and slugging .479 (.905 OPS)…his 11-game streak is tied for the 2nd-longest active streak in the Majors (also: William Contreras-MIL), trailing only Bryson Stott-PHI (14 G).

HIP-HIP-JORGE…George Kirby holds a 9.00 strikeout-to-walk ratio after 2 starts this season (9 SO/1 BB), tied for 8th-best in the Majors among pitchers with at least 2 starts…dating back to the beginning of the 2022 season, Kirby holds a 6.05 SO/BB ratio over 27 starts, 5th-best in the Majors (min. 25 GS) behind only Aaron Nola (8.10), Kevin Gausman (7.32), Corey Kluber (6.62) and Justin Verlander (6.38).

GETTING A LITTLE DEFENSIVE…dating back to the beginning of the recent road trip (4/7-c), the Mariners infield (1B, 2B, 3B, SS) has posted a perfect fielding percentage (1.000) over 131 total chances…Seattle’s infield is 1 of 3 in the Majors to not commit an error during that span, joining Baltimore and New YorkNL…J.P. Crawford ranks tied for 2nd among all Major League infielders with 3 Defensive Runs Saved this
season, trailing only Francisco Lindor-NYM (4 DRS).

HOME SWEET HOMESTAND…today is Jackie Robinson Day, with all Mariners players and on-field staff wearing #42 and the first Mariners All-Star, Ruppert Jones, throwing the ceremonial first pitch… additionally, the first 10,000 fans at tonight’s game will take home a Jackie Robinson Day – “42” Hat… other dates on the homestand include Little League Day (April 16), Rally Cap Night Ticket Special (April 17), Hello Kitty Night (April 18), Weather Education day (April 19), All-Star Hat Night (April 21) and more… for more information, visit Mariners.com/Promotions or Mariners.com/Tickets.

TONIGHT’S MARINERS STARTER – RHP GEORGE KIRBY
ABOUT KIRBY…
• 25-year-old right-hander is making his 3rd start of the season, 1st against Colorado…he is also making his 28th career start, and 1st career start against the Rockies.

• Selected by the Mariners in the first round (20th overall) of the 2019 MLB First-Year Player Draft; signed by Mariners scout Ty Holub.

• Played 3 seasons (2017-2019) at Elon University (NC), going 19-8 with a 3.30 ERA (88 ER, 240.0 IP) in 45 games (34 GS) with the Phoenix.

• Became the first rookie in MLB history to record a save in the postseason in his first career relief appearance.

• Graduated from Rye HS (Rye, NY) where he was named to the all-metro, all-state, all-section and all-league baseball teams 3 times.

LAST TIME OUT…ND on 4/9 at Cleveland after turning in a quality start where he allowed just 1 run on 5 hits and 0 walks with 4 strikeouts over 6.0 innings of work.

NATIONAL PHENOMENON…in 3 career interleague appearances, Kirby has a 1.06 ERA (2 ER, 17.0 IP) with 16 strikeouts and just 1 walk… among active players with at least 3 career interleague starts, Kirby’s 1.06 ERA is the lowest, ranking ahead of Tanner Houck-BOS (1.31) and
Aaron Ashby-MIL (1.33).

MISSION CRITICAL…the Mariners own a 8-4 record in games that Kirby tosses at least 6.0 innings…in games Kirby goes 5.2 innings or less, the Mariners are just 8-7.

PLAYOFF KIRB…made two appearances in the postseason…earned the save in Game 2 of the AL Wild Card Series at Toronto, his first professional save…also started in Game 3 of the AL Division Series vs. Houston, tossing 7.0 scoreless innings with 5 strikeouts…became just the 2nd player in franchise history to throw at least 7.0 shutout innings in the postseason, joining Luis Castillo (10/7 at TOR, G1 ALWCS)

AUGUST ROOKIE OF THE MONTH…was named Rookie of the Month for August 2022, after going 4-0 with a 2.15 ERA (7 ER, 29.1 IP) with 34 strikeouts and 3 walks in 5 August starts…he led AL rookies in fWAR (1.4), ERA, wins, WHIP (1.13) and SO/BB ratio (11.33)…becomes just the 3rd Mariners pitcher to win Rookie of the Month joining Michael Pineda (April 2011) and Rafael Soriano (Aug. 2003), and the 2nd Mariner to win the award this season (also: Julio Rodríguez, May and June).

GOING ON STRIKE…began his outing on 8/24 vs. Washington by throwing 24-consecutive strikes, the most to start a game since the pitch tracking era (1988-current), passing the 21 thrown by Joe Musgrove on 8/30/18 vs. STL with PIT.

WALK LESS, LISTEN MORE…did not allow more than 1 walk in each of his first 22 career starts, the longest streak to begin a career in MLB history…it was the 2nd-longest streak to begin a season in MLB history trailing the 27 done by Carlos Silva-MIN in 2005.

NO DINGERS HERE…did not allowed a home run in 14-consecutive starts from 7/2-9/28/22, which was the longest streak in the Majors in 2022…the 14-start streak without allowing a home run was a franchise record passing Erik Hanson (12, 9/20/89-5/23/90)…he went 75.0 innings without allowing a long ball.

WHEN THE GOING GETS TOUGH, THE TOUGH GET GOING…was the fourth-most valuable pitcher in the AL from 7/2/22-the end of the regular season according to Fangraphs WAR, amassing 3.1 fWAR…in 12 starts after allowing a career-high 7 runs to the Orioles on 6/27/22, Kirby went 5-1 with a 2.09 ERA (15 ER, 64.2 IP) with 74 strikeouts and 8 walks from 7/2-9/17/22…the Mariners went 9-3 in those games.

A HISTORIC SEASON…his 6.05 strikeout to walk ratio is the highest in a rookie season in MLB history since the start of the Modern Era (1900-c.), ranking ahead of Chris Paddack-SD (4.94) in 2014 (min. 25 GS).

MARINERS ROOKIES…among Mariners rookie pitchers who have made at least 15 starts as a rookie, he ranks among the leaders in ERA (5th, 3.39), SO/9 (2nd, 9.2), SO (5th, 133), WHIP (4th, 1.208) and SO/BB (1st, 6.05).

BY GEORGE!…his 7.79 SO/BB ratio through his first 20 starts is the highest mark in MLB history, ranking ahead of Roy Oswalt-HOU (7.65 in 2001) (excludes openers).

CAN WHIFF WITH THE BEST OF ‘EM…struck out 123 batters over his first 22 career starts, which is the 3rd-most through a players first 22 career starts in Mariners history, trailing only Michael Pineda (137) and Felix Hernandez (136)…Kirby is also tied for the 3rd fastest Mariners pitcher (18 starts) to 100 career strikeouts, trailing Hernandez and Pineda, who both reached the milestone in 17 starts.

WATCH ME WHIFF…induced 223 swings-and-misses in 2022 according to Baseball Savant, which was the T6th-most among MLB rookies and T3rd-most among AL rookies…trailed only Joe Ryan-MIN (312) and Reid Detmers-LAA (267) in the AL.

K STANDS FOR KIRBY…career-high-tying 9 strikeouts on 8/24/22…reached the mark 3 times in 2022…he was one of 4 Mariners pitchers with 9+ strikeouts in 2022, joining Robbie Ray (season-high 12 SO), Luis Castillo (season-high 10 SO) and Logan Gilbert (season-high 11 SO).

MLB Preview: Chicago Cubs (7-5) at Los Angeles Dodgers (7-7)

MLB Editor
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MLB Preview: Chicago Cubs (7-5) at Los Angeles Dodgers (7-7)

CHICAGO CUBS NOTES:

CALIFORNIA SUNSHINE: The Chicago Cubs last night started a six-game road trip in California with an 8-2 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers … the Cubs win was their first against the Dodgers since June 24, 2021, following 10-straight losses.

LHP Justin Steele got the start and threw 7.0 innings, allowing two runs on three hits with one walk and eight strikeouts … Steele is the first Cubs lefty to limit the Dodgers to two or fewer runs while pitching at least 7.0 innings and striking out at least eight at Dodger Stadium since Ken Holtzman did so on Aug. 12, 1966.

Gomes (2), Happ, Suzuki and Wisdom all hit home runs last night … the last time the Cubs hit five or more long balls in a game was May 31, 2021, vs. San Diego.

Happ last night tallied nine total bases (a home run, two doubles and a single) … with those nine bases, he surpassed the 1,000 total base milestone, bringing his total to 1,005.

POWER AND SPEED: Yan Gomes last night against the Dodgers recorded three hits, two of which were home runs, and a stolen base … he became the first Cubs catcher (since 1901) to deliver at least two home runs and a stolen base in the same game … in fact, he is just the 10th catcher in MLB history (since 1901) to acheive the feat, and the first since Brian McCann (ATL) did it on July 25, 2008.

What’s more? … to find the last Cubs catcher to record three hits, with one home run, and a stolen base we have to go back to Smoky Burgess who did it on May 26, 1951.

CROSS THIS ONE OFF THE LIST: Today’s starting pitcher Jameson Taillon will pitch at Dodger Stadium for the first time in his career … he has pitched on the road against 28 of MLB’s 30 teams and in 30 different stadiums – he has faced Texas and Toronto in two different parks … the only other team he has yet to face away from home is Detroit.

SCORE MORE: The Cubs have scored 5.75 runs per game, which ranks third-highest in the majors trailing only Tampa Bay (7.43) and the Dodgers (5.79) … Nico Hoerner is tied for second in the majors, and tied for first in the N.L., with 13 runs scored. SO FAR, A RELIEF: Cubs hitters have posted a .302 average (52-for-172) against relief pitchers this season, the highest mark in the majors … Chicago’s .363 on-base percentage against bullpen arms ranks fourth-best in the majors.

ABOUT THE ROTATION: Cubs starting pitchers have a 3.50 ERA (24 ER/61.2 IP) in the season’s early going, the third-best mark in the N.L. and sixth in the majors … through the first 12 games of last season, the rotation had a 6.10 ERA (and a 5.98 ERA through the first 13 games of last year).

WORD TO THE WISE: Patrick Wisdom last night blasted a solo home run as part of the Cubs three-homer inning against the Dodgers … since the start of the 2021 season, Wisdom has averaged one home run every 14.84 at-bats, the third-best rate among N.L. hitters with at least 900 plate appearances (Kyle Schwarber, 11.95, and Pete Alonso, 14.58).

Wisdom’s 57 homers since the start of the 2021 season are tied for 11th-most among N.L. hitters.

WILD WILD WEST: Chicago is in a stretch of 19 games (5-2) all against A.L. or N.L. West teams that started on April 7 against Texas and ends on April 27 against San Diego … in fact, the Cubs are in the seventh game (5-2) of 29-straight games outside of the division until hosting the Cardinals for three games, May 8-10.

Cubs vs. Dodgers
The Cubs and the Dodgers face off seven times this season, with all of the games coming in a 10-day span … they start the season series with this 3-game set in Los Angeles (April 14- 16), then will meet in Chicago for four games next week (April 20-23) … the Dodgers have won seven of the last 10 season series.

Starting Pitcher – #50 RHP Jameson Taillon (0-2, 7.00)
Last Time Out
Jameson suffered his second-straight loss April 9 vs. Texas … has allowed six-plus hits in four-straight starts … has walked two or fewer batters in 12-straight outings dating to Aug. 8, 2022 … marked his 19th career start with seven-plus strikeouts while walking one or fewer.

2022 Splits and Season Notes
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
Home 7-2 3.47 16 16 90.2 87 36 35 16 88
Road 7-3 4.36 16 16 86.2 81 42 42 16 163
AVG vs. LHB: .235 (69-for-293) / AVG vs. RHB: .253 (99-for-391)

Jameson in 2022 made 32 starts for the Yankees, going 14-5 with a 3.91 ERA (77 ER/177.1 IP) … tied his career high in wins (also 2018) and starts (also 2018) … the 14 wins marked a team high.

Allowed three or fewer earned runs in 25 of his 32 starts, two or fewer in 18, one or fewer in 10 and made four scoreless starts.

Walked just 32 batters, the fourth-fewest in the A.L. and fifth-fewest in the major leagues (min. 150.0 IP) … his 1.62 walks per 9.0 IP ratio was the fifth-best mark in the A.L. and seventh-best in the major leagues.

Made 13 starts with no walks, tied with Ross Stripling for the second-most in the MLB, trailing Corey Kluber (15).

Posted a 9-1 record in his first 15 starts of the season … per Elias, was the sixth Yankees pitcher since 1961 to have a 9-1 record-or-better in his first 15 starts of a season (last Kevin Brown – 2004).

Career Notes
Jameson signed a four-year contract with the Cubs in December 2022 … is 51-37 with a 3.87 ERA (343 ER/796.2 IP) in 145 career major league starts with Pittsburgh (2016-19), Yankees (2021-22) and Cubs (2023).

Among N.L. pitchers with at least 450 IP from 2016-20, ranked ninth with a 1.66 ground ball to fly ball ratio, 10th with a 32.7 outside the zone swing percentage, 11th with a 48.2% ground ball rate and 14th with a 19.5% soft contact rate.

January 24, 2021, was traded from Pittsburgh to New York (A.L.) for RHP Roansy Contreras, INF Maikol Escotto, OF Canaan Smith-Njigba and RHP Miguel Yajure.

Had Tommy John Surgery twice, missing the 2014, 2015 and 2020 seasons.

In 2017, was placed on the injured list May 6 with groin discomfort and was diagnosed with testicular cancer on May 8 … underwent surgery May 8 and resumed light baseball activities May 15 … June 12, was reinstated from the injured list and started vs. Colorado, tossing 5.0 scoreless innings.

Was selected by Pittsburgh in the first round (second overall) in the 2010 FirstYear Player Draft.

Is a 2010 graduate of The Woodlands (Tex.) High School.

LOS ANGELES DODGERS NOTES:

HOME RUNS TO THE MAX: The Dodger offense collected just three hits last night, two of which were by the red-hot Max Muncy, who finished the game going 2-for-4 with a solo homer, his sixth of the season. Muncy picked up right where he left off in San Francisco, where he netted an historic 11 RBI in the threegame series. His six home runs are tied with Pete Alonso, Ryan Mountcastle and Rafael Devers for the most in the Major Leagues while his 14 RBI are tied for second in the NL, trailing only Francisco Lindor (15).

NOW THAT’S A START: Dodger rookie outfielder James Outman pinch-hit and grounded out last night and on the season is slashing .282/.429/.667 with a 1.095 OPS. He has walked in nine of his 13 games with an at-bat this season and has reached base safely in 11 of his 13 games with an AB this year. His 10 RBI ranks fourth on the team, trailing just Max Muncy (14), Will Smith (12) and Trayce Thompson (11) while his nine walks are tied with Freddie Freeman for third on the squad, trailing just Miguel Vargas (13) and Mookie Betts (11). Dating back to 2022, Outman has appeared in 16 career games with an at-bat and in those contests has racked up 37 total bases. According to Sportradar, his 1.173 OPS is through his first 17 career games with an AB is the fourth highest all-time in Los Angeles Dodgers history, behind Yasiel Puig (1.251) and Will Smith (1.175).

WALK THIS WAY: The Dodgers walked just once last night and now rank second in baseball with 73 walks, three shy of the New York Mets. Los Angeles has recorded five or more free passes in 11 of its 14 games this season and the 73 walks are tied for the second most in L.A. Dodger
history through 14 games, trailing the 1960 squad (74). The Dodgers also walked 73 times through 14 games in 1977 and 2009.

DIGGING THE LONGBALL: The Dodgers belted two more homers Friday night, solo shots by Chris Taylor and Max Muncy. The club has recorded five 3+ homer games this season and their 26 homers lead the National League, trailing only the Rays (34) for the most in baseball. Los Angeles also leads the National League with 81 runs scored, six triples (T-1st, ML), 54 extra-base hits, a .482 slugging percentage and an .827 OPS.

TODAYS STARTER vs. CUBS: RHP MICHAEL GROVE (0-1, 14.73 ERA in 2 G (2 GS) in 2023)

2023 SEASON NOTES:
• Made his 2023 debut against the Rockies on April 3rd where he hurled four innings, giving up three runs on two hits, two walks and punching out four.

• Allowed career-highs in runs (9) and hits (12) in his last start against the D-Backs

• Started six games during Spring Training, posting a 0-1 record with a 5.40 ERA (10 ER/16.2 IP) and 17 strikeouts against just three walks…produced a 1.03 WHIP

• Named to his first Opening Day roster as a Major Leaguer after making his big league debut last season on May 15 against the Phillies

VS. CUBS:
• Will face the Cubs for the first time in his career

2022 NOTES:
• Split the season between Double-A Tulsa (5 GS), Triple-A Oklahoma City (14 G, 12 GS), and the Los Angeles Dodgers (7 G, 6 GS)

• Started the season with Double-A Tulsa, going 0-1 in five starts with an ERA of 2.76 (5 ER/16.1 IP)…gave up 11 hits, one home run, and five walks as he punched out 22 batters while holding hitters to a .180 average

• Appeared in 14 games (12 starts) with Triple-A Oklahoma City with a 1-4 record and a 4.07 ERA (27 ER/ 59.2 IP)…struck out 68 batters while giving up 56 hits, 32 runs, 10 homers, and 21 walks

• Finished the season with the Dodgers, recording one win and no losses over four stints…posted a 4.60 ERA (15 ER/ 29.1 IP) on 32 hits, 10 walks and 24 strikeouts

• Made his Major League debut on May 15, 2022, against Philadelphia, tossing 3.2 innings and giving up four hits, four runs, and three walks while striking out three while not factoring in the decision… recorded his first Major League strikeout on the second batter he faced, Alec Bohm, in six pitches

• Recorded his first Major League win on September 25 vs. St. Louis, allowing three hits, one earned run, one walk, and punching out three in 5.0 innings

• Ended the season on an 18-game streak of having at least one strikeout (since June 7)

Kansas City Current sign defender Croix Soto

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Kansas City Current sign defender Croix Soto

KANSAS CITY — The Kansas City Current have signed defender Croix Soto (CROY SOH-toh) to a one-year contract through the 2023 season. Soto is expected to be available for selection this weekend as the team travels to play the Chicago Red Stars Saturday, April 15 at 7 p.m. CT.

A mainstay on the backline during her four years at the University of Oregon, Croix comes to the Current with a defense-first mindset. She played 62 matches (57 starts) and just under 5,500 minutes for the Fighting Ducks before graduating in 2022. She was All-Pac 12 Third Team in 2020, then in 2021 she earned All-Pac12 Second Team and United Soccer Coaches All-Pacific Third Team.

“Croix came in last week on a trial basis and did a great job fitting right in,” said general manager Camille Ashton. “We’re very excited for Croix to earn her first professional contract with the Current.”

Croix and her new Current teammates head to Chicago on Saturday before opening the 2023 UKG Challenge Cup at the Houston Dash on Wednesday April 19 at 6:30 p.m. CT. The team then returns home April 23 to host the Orlando Pride at 4 p.m. CT. Tickets are available for that match at KansasCityCurrent.com.

Minnesota Lynx Sign Keishana Washington and Myah Selland to Training Camp Roster

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Minnesota Lynx Sign Keishana Washington and Myah Selland to Training Camp Roster

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx today announced the signing of Keishana Washington and Myah Selland to training camp contracts. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not released.

Washington is a 5-7 guard coming out of Drexel University where she averaged 27.7 points, 3.4 rebounds and 3.7 assists in her graduate season campaign. At the end of the 2022-23 season, she was honored as the Player of the Year in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) and led the conference in points per game (27.7) and season total points (858). Throughout her five-year career, Washington earned four All-CAA selections, the 2019-20 CAA Sixth Man of the Year and earned a spot on the 2018-19 CAA All Rookie Team. The Pickering, Ontario, Can. native finished her career with 2,363 points, 410 rebounds and 368 assists. She helped the Dragons to a 21-10 record, making them the 2022-23 CAA Regular Season Champions.

A 6-1 forward from South Dakota State University, Selland was a dynamic player in The Summit League. At the conclusion of the 2022-23 season, she garnered Summit League Player of the Year honors for the second time in her career and was named to both the All-Summit Team and All-Summit Tournament Team. Repping number 44 for the Jacks, she held averages of 16.1 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.5 steals, which marked team-highs for all three categories this season. Selland led the Summit League this season with an 83.6 defensive rating, a 32.9 assist percentage and a 58.6 effective field goal percentage.

Lynx Sign 2023 Draft Selections

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Lynx Sign 2023 Draft Selections

MINNEAPOLIS/ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Lynx today announced the team has signed draft selections Diamond Miller, Dorka Juhász, Brea Beal and Taylor Soule. Per team policy, terms of the deals were not disclosed.

Selected at No. 2 overall, Miller played in 34 games (34 starts) for the University of Maryland Terrapins while averaging 19.7 points, 2.9 assists and 2.1 steals in the 2022-23 season. She earned a WBCA All-American selection as well as AP, The Athletic, and USBWA All-American Second-Team. Miller helped lead Maryland to an appearance in the Elite Eight where she amassed 79 points, 24 rebounds, 12 assists and eight steals. She finished her four-year career with the Terrapins with 1,706 points, 578 rebounds and 301 assists across 117 games (84 starts).

Juhász, selected No. 16 overall, finished her graduate campaign averaging 14.2 points, 9.9 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 1.5 steals per game. She was named a semi-finalist for the Lisa Leslie award for the nation’s best center and proved to be a strong defensive force for the University of Connecticut Huskies in the 2022-23 season, leading the team and second in the Big East with 9.9 rebounds per a game and finished the season first in the Big East Conference with a 77.3 defensive rating.

Selected at No. 24 overall, a 6-1 guard from the University of South Carolina, Beal was a finalist for the 2022-23 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year and earned nods to the SEC All-Defense Team and an AP All-American honorable mention. At the conclusion of the season, she had a defensive rating of 77.9, which ranked her third overall in the SEC. She was a four-year starter for the South Carolina Gamecocks where she was a part of three SEC titles, three SEC Tournament Championships, and most notably, was a key player in winning the NCAA National Championship in 2022. At the end of her career, she held averages of 6.1 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.6 assists per game.

Soule, a forward from Virginia Tech, was selected No. 28 overall. She averaged 10.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game in the 2022-23 season, which led to selections to Second Team All-ACC and the ACC’s All-Tournament Second Team and ended with the program’s first Final Four appearance. Prior to Virginia Tech, the West Lebanon, New Hampshire native played four seasons at Boston College where she amassed 1,500 points and earned All-ACC honors throughout the last three years for the Eagles. She held career averages of 12.8 points, 5.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists across 149 games (138 starts).

Blue Bombers add two to roster

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Blue Bombers add two to roster

WINNIPEG, MB., – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the signing of two American players – running back Ta’Zhawn Henry and offensive lineman Kelvin Ateman Jr.

Henry (5-7, 180; University of Houston; born: January 25, 2000, in Houston, TX.) joins the Bombers after a four-year collegiate career split between Texas Tech (2018-19) and Houston (2021-22). Henry had had 23 touchdowns over his career with the Red Raiders and Cougars and finished with 1,553 rushing yards, 634 yards receiving and 429 kickoff yards.

Henry led Texas Tech in rushing attempts and touchdowns in 2018 and was the school’s all-purpose yards per game leader in 2019. At Houston, Henry finished second on the team in rushing in 2021 and, despite missing four games last season, rushed for 359 yards while adding 246 yards receiving and finished with the second highest all-purpose yards on the roster.

Ateman Jr. (6-6, 300; University of Toledo; born: April 3, 1999, in Detroit, MI) dressed for fifteen games over his five-year collegiate career (2017-21) with the Rockets and was part of the 2021 Rockets team that went 7-6 overall before falling to Middle Tennessee in the Bahamas Bowl. He most recently participated in last month’s University of Toledo Pro Day in front of scouts from both the National Football League and the CFL.

MLS Preview: FC Cincinnati (5-0-2) at St. Louis City SC (5-2-0)

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MLS Preview: FC Cincinnati (5-0-2) at St. Louis City SC (5-2-0)

FC Cincinnati has played expansion teams three times in club history, winning its only home match (vs Charlotte FC) and losing both road matches (at Inter Miami FC and Charlotte FC).

St. Louis City SC has lost consecutive matches following a run of five straight wins to open the season. Even with those defeats, St. Louis City SC’s 15 points through five matches is tied for the best start by an expansion team in league history, with Los Angeles Football Club in 2018.

FC Cincinnati has a league-high 17 points through 7 games (W5 D2 L0), not only the club’s best start to a season but its most points in any seven-match span in a season in club history. A win on Saturday would make FC Cincinnati the eighth team to record 20 points through eight matches of a season in MLS history and the first since Sporting Kansas City (21) in 2012.

St. Louis City SC’s high pressure has forced an MLS-high 79 turnovers within 40 meters of the opponent’s goal. St. Louis City SC has turned those high turnovers into shots 17 times, also the most in the league, with its three goals off high turnovers tied for the most in MLS (w/Los Angeles Football Club).

FC Cincinnati has kept five clean sheets in its last six matches, including keeping three in a row for the first time in club history. FC Cincinnati’s last three matches have all been 1-0 victories, the 11th team to do that in a single season, though no team has ever won four straight matches 1-0.

MLB Preview: Los Angeles Angels (7-6) at Boston Red Sox (6-8)

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MLB Preview: Los Angeles Angels (7-6) at Boston Red Sox (6-8)

LOS ANGELES ANGELS NOTES:

LEADING OFF: Today, the Angels play the second (0-1) of seven games on a road trip against the Boston Red Sox (0- 1; April 14-17) and New York Yankees (April 18-20)…Halos went 2-3 on opening homestand of the year vs. Toronto (1-2) and Washington (2-1)…LAA was 4-2 on first road trip of year against Oakland (2-1) and Seattle (2-1).

TODAY’S TRANSACTIONS: Today the Angels selected the contract of INF Zach Neto…In corresponding moves, INF David Fletcher has been optioned to Triple-A Salt Lake and RHP Chris Rodriguez was transferred to the 60-day injured list.

NETO IN THE SHOW: Zach Neto is ranked by Baseball America as the Angels #2 overall prospect (behind Logan O’Hoppe)… In seven games this season for Double-A Rocket City, Neto batted .444 (12/27) with 10 runs scored, one double, three HR, 10 RBI, six walks, three stolen bases and a 1.374 OPS… Last night at Birmingham, he went 3-for-4 with three runs, two HR and five RBI…He leads the Southern League in average, OPS, hits and runs, while reaching base 19 times across seven games.

2022 VALEDICTORIAN: Zach Neto will become the first player from the 2022 Draft class to make his MLB Debut…He was the Angels first round pick (13th overall) in the 2022 Draft out of Campbell University (Buies Creek, NC)…Last season, Angels RHP Chase Silseth became the first player from the 2021 Draft to make his MLB Debut.

ROOKIE RAKING: Logan O’Hoppe has driven in a run in seven of his 11 starts this season…His four home runs lead the team and his 11 RBI are tied with Hunter Renfroe for the team lead.

LEGENDARY COMPANY: Mike Trout enters today’s game with 299 career doubles…With one more double, he would become the fourth player in MLB history with 300+ doubles, 300+ home runs and 200+ stolen bases by his age-31 season, joining Willie Mays, Barry Bonds and Alex Rodriguez.
ON BASE DAILY: Taylor Ward has reached base safely (via hit, walk, or HBP) in all 13 of the Angels games this season…In 2013, Mark Trumbo set the franchise record after reaching base safely in each of the Angels first 20 games (Rod Carew held previous record with a 19-game streak in 1981).

VS. BOSTON: Today is the second (0-1) of seven meetings this season between the Angels and Red Sox…In addition to the current four game series in Boston, the teams will meet again for three games at Angel Stadium from May 22-24…Red Sox won the 2022 season series 4-3, but Halos won two of three games at Fenway.

ON WITH THE SHO: Dating back to last season, Shohei Ohtani has reached base safely (via hit, walk, or HBP) in a career-high 35 consecutive games…It’s the longest active streak in the Majors…Additionally, the streak is tied for the fifth-longest in Angels history; if the on-base streak continues today, he would tie Chili Davis (1995) and Erick Aybar (2011) for the third-longest streak in Club history.

MOST CONSECUTIVE GAMES REACHING BASE SAFELY
In Angels history (via H, BB, or HBP)
Rank Player Year(s) # of Games

  1. Orlando Cabrera 2006 – 63
  2. Mike Trout 2013 – 40
    T3. Erick Aybar 2011 – 36
    T3. Chili Davis 1995 – 36
    T5. Chone Figgins 2007 – 35
    T5. Shohei Ohtani 2022-23 – 35 (active)

HALOS FENWAY DEBUTS: Zach Neto would become the first Angels player to make his MLB Debut at Fenway Park since Eduardo Paredes in 2017…The last position player to do so was Chone Figgins as a pinch runner in 2002…Last player to debut as a starter at Fenway was 3B Pete Coachman in 1990.

PLAYING ON PATRIOT’S DAY: Monday’s game vs. Boston is scheduled for an 8:10 a.m. PT first pitch and will mark the second time the Angels face the Red Sox on Patriot’s Day (also, 2007).

THE SHUTOUT: Tuesday night, Shohei Ohtani, José Quijada and Carlos Estévez combined on a one-hit shutout of the Nationals…It marked the 26th one-hit shutout in franchise history and the first at Angel Stadium since June 5, 2018 vs. Kansas City.

ANOTHER SHOHEI RECORD: Tuesday night, Shohei Ohtani worked 7.0 scoreless innings to lower his season ERA to 0.47 (19 IP – 1 ER)…He has allowed two-or-fewer runs in 10 consecutive pitching starts, which established a new franchise record (Nolan Ryan had a nine game streak across the 1972- 73 seasons).

WALKING MAVERICK: On Wednesday vs. Washington, Brett Phillips became the first player in Angels history to draw walks in each of his first three plate appearances with the team. (ELIAS)

WELCOME TO THE RENAISSANCE: Angels have had three lineups this season with Anthony Rendon, Hunter Renfroe & Luis Rengifo hitting consecutively in the order…On Opening Day, the trio hit in the 4-6 spots, marking the first lineup in franchise history to feature three straight players who have the same first three letters of their last name…The last MLB occurrence was by Detroit on July 20, 2015 (Victor Martinez, J.D. Martinez, Jefry Marte).

TODAY’S STARTING PITCHER – LHP TYLER ANDERSON
1-0, 4.22 ERA
Making first career appearance at Fenway Park

• TODAY’S GAME: Making third start of the season and second on the road…Is in eighth Major League season and made seventh straight Opening Day roster…Signed a three-year contract with Angels, Nov. 16, 2022.

• LAST TIME OUT: Did not factor in decision in last start on April 8 vs. Toronto (4.2 IP, 7 H, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO).

• HALO DEBUT: Earned the win in Angels debut on Sunday at Oakland after working 6.0 shutout frames, allowing four hits and two walks with four strikeouts.

• VS. BOSTON: Today marks second career start vs. Red Sox; took no-decision in only previous game on Sept. 14, 2021 for Seattle at T-Mobile Park (4.1 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 SO).

• AT FENWAY PARK: Today is first career appearance at Fenway Park.

• GOOD DAY: Owns a 3.86 ERA (259 IP – 111 ER) for his career in day games, compared with a 4.31 ERA (554 IP – 265 ER) at night…Last year, made six starts in day games for Dodgers and pitched to a 2.70 ERA (33.1 IP – 10 ER) and 31 strikeouts.

• THE CHANGE: Last season, held opponents to a .179 (41/229) average against his changeup.

• SPRING RECAP: Made four total starts in Spring Training games, including two in traditional Cactus League play, the Angels exhibition contest vs. Team USA and a Freeway Series game against the Dodgers…Combined to go 2-1 with a 3.44 ERA (15.2 IP – 6 ER) with nine strikeouts.

• 2022 RECAP: Made 30 appearance (28 starts) for Dodgers last season…Was selected to National League All-Star team after going 15-5 with a 2.57 ERA (178.2 IP – 51 ER) and 138 strikeouts…Among N.L. leaders, he ranked tied for second in winning percentage (.750), fifth in ERA, tied for fifth in wins, seventh in WHIP (1.00) and eighth in opponent batting average (.221).

• DODGER LEADER: Led Dodgers staff with 178.2 IP (career-high) in 2022 and ranked third with 15 wins (careerhigh)…Also had career-bests in ERA (2.57), WHIP (1.00) and opponent average (.221)

• 2022 POSTSEASON: Started Game 4 of the 2022 NLDS for the Dodgers at San Diego and worked 5.0 scoreless innings…Allowed two hits and two walks with six strikeouts in Padres 5-3 win.

• NEAR NO-NO: Took a no-hitter into 9th inning of June 15, 2022 start for Dodgers vs. Angels, walking two and striking out eight…Shohei Ohtani’s one out triple in the 9th inning originally broke up the no-hit bid; following the game, an official scoring change overturned an error call, resulting in Jared Walsh breaking up the no-hitter with a 7th inning infield single.

• GETTING AROUND: Angels are his sixth Major League team…Has previously played with Colorado (2016-19), San Francisco (2020), Pittsburgh (2021), Seattle (2021) and Los Angeles (N.L.) (2022).

• CAREER NOTES: Native of Las Vegas, NV, where he attended Spring Valley HS…Was a first round (20th overall) selection by Colorado in the 2011 Draft out of the University of Oregon…Made Major League debut with Rockies on June 12, 2016 vs. San Diego.

BOSTON RED SOX NOTES:

No release available.

MLB Preview: Philadelphia Phillies (5-9) at Cincinnati Reds (5-8)

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MLB Preview: Philadelphia Phillies (5-9) at Cincinnati Reds (5-8)

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES NOTES:

GAME #14 RECAP: The Phillies defeated the Cincinnati Reds, 8-3, at GABP in Cincinnati … Taijuan Walker (W, 1-1) allowed 1 run over 6.0 innings with 4 hits, 2 walks and 4 strikeouts … The Phillies offense combined for 6 extra-base hits and four walks … Kyle Schwarber reached base safely four times and Jose Alvarado struck out the side in the 8th inning.

FEELING SLG-ISH: The Phils enter play today with 53 extra-base hits (34 2B, 6 3B, 13 HR) which ranks 3rd in MLB behind the Rays (63 XBH) and Dodgers (54 XBH) … Philadelphia’s .457 SLG ranks 4th in MLB behind the Rays (.563), Dodgers (.482) and Atlanta (.460) … Through 14 games, Philadelphia’s 53 extra-base hits are T-2nd most by a Phillies club at this point in a season in the modern era (since 1900) … Tied with the 1976 club, only the 2010 Phillies had more extra-base hits (55) through 14 games … The Phillies are up to 34 doubles this year which is T-1st in MLB with Seattle … Through 14 games, Philadelphia’s 34 doubles are T-3rd most by a Phillies club in the modern era (with 2007), trailing only 2010 (36 2B) and 1933 (35 2B) … The Phillies have hit at least one double in each of their first 14 games which is the third-longest streak to open a season for a Phils club in the modern era, behind only a 22-game double streak to open the 2002 season and a 15-game streak to open the 1916 season.

GREAT STOTT!: INF Bryson Stott has hit safely in all 14 games this year and he is two games shy of the Phillies modern day franchise record of16 games set by Puddin’ Head Jones in 1950 … This season, Stott has multiple hits in nine of those 14 games, including five of the last seven (since 4/8) … Stott is 8-for-24 off left-handers (.333 AVG) and 15-for-36 off right-handers (.417 AVG) … Additionally, Stott became the first MLB player with nine multi-hit games in his first 12 games of a season since Matt Carpenter did so in 2015 (also 9 of first 12) … Stott is the first Phillies player with nine multi-hit games in his first 12 games since Jeff Stone in 1984 (also 9 of 12) … Since last year’s All-Star break, Stott has played 78 games and is slashing .298/.343/.418 in 307 plate appearances.

CASTY’S BACK, TELL A FRIEND: In 111 career games at Great American Ball Park, Nick Castellanos is slashing .316/.372/.641 with a 1.013 OPS in 465 plate appearances … He has 65 extra-base hits (28 2B, 2 3B, 35 HR) and 97 RBI in those 111 games … There have been 49 major league players with at least 400 plate appearances in the history of Great American Ball Park (since 2003), and of those 49, Castellanos’ .641 SLG ranks 1st (next: Rich Aurilla, .559 SLG) and his 1.013 OPS ranks 1st (next: Shin-soo Choo, .960 OPS) … Castellanos has hit safely in nine straight games at GABP (since 9/24/21) and over his last 62 games (since 5/2/21), he is slashing .363/.412/.679 with 63 RBI in 260 plate appearances at GABP.

BBCIB: Today, Garrett Stubbs is scheduled to make his third start of the 2023 season … Since being acquired by the Phillies from the Astros on November 19, 2021 in exchange for OF Logan Cerny, Stubbs has started 34 games for the Phillies and is slashing .271/.350/.458 with an .808 OPS in 34 starts … Last season, Stubbs ranked 7th among 84 qualified catchers with an average pop time of 1.91 seconds from home to second base (best: Realmuto, 1.82 seconds).

STRIKE ONE, STRIKE TWO, GOOD LUCK: Wednesday against the Marlins at CBP, LHP Jose Alvarado became the first major league relief pitcher in the expansion era (since 1961) to strike out 11 consecutive batters in a single season … Eric Gagne (2003) and Chad Green (2019) were the only two to reach 10 straight, prior to Alvarado … Alvarado has multiple strikeouts in each of his last 13 appearances (since 9/13/22), and in that span, has 32 strikeouts to just one walk in 14.0 total innings pitched with a 65.3% strikeout rate (49 batters faced) … Alvarado has faced 23 batters this season – he has struck out 16 of them without allowing a walk.

SLAMMIN’ EDDY SOSA: Since joining the Phillies at last year’s trade deadline, INF Edmundo Sosa has played in 37 regular season games and is slashing .310/.333/.583 with a .917 OPS in 91 plate appearances with 14 extra-base hits (9 2B, 3B, 4 HR) … Sosa, who homered last night, has made 21 career regular season starts for the Phillies – they are 13-8 in those games and he is slashing .338/.356/.632 with a .989 OPS as a starter for the Phils.

50 SCHWARBOMBS: Thursday night, Kyle Schwarber hit his 50th career home run as a Phillie (regular season only) as he became the fastest in franchise history to reach 50, doing so in his 168th game … Schwarber eclipsed Jim Thome’s previous franchise record of 50 HR in his first 172 games with the club … Ryan Howard (50 HR in 182 G) ranks 3rd, Rhys Hoskins (50 HR in 192 G) ranks 4th and Chuck Klein (50 HR in 195 G) ranks 5th … Of Schwarber’s 50 regular season home runs with the Phillies, 47 have been hit with an exit velocity north of 100.0 MPH (94%) and 16 of those 50 have been hit over 110.0 MPH (32%) … Schwarber hit six home runs in the postseason last year which included a 119.7 MPH shot off SD’s Yu Darvish in Game 1 of the NLCS

TODAY’S STARTER – MATT STRAHM • LHP #25

LAST START: 4/10 vs MIA: W, 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, BB, 6 SO … Strahm vs Alcantara … The Phillies defeated the Miami Marlins, 15-3, under the lights at Citizens Bank Park … Tied at 0-0 in the 3rd, the Phillies plated five runs off reigning Cy Young Award winner Sandy Alcantara … They had eight extra-base hits on the night and scored nine runs off Alcantara … Seven different Phillies had multiple hits on the night.

TODAY’S START:
• Going Streaking: Strahm has not allowed a run in 10.0 IP this season over 2 starts and a relief appearance, the 3rdlongest active scoreless streak in MLB behind Bryce Elder (12.1) and Shohei Ohtani (12.0) … Dating back to last year, his scoreless streak stands at 11.0 IP overall … Strahm is one of just 4 NL pitchers to have two scoreless starts through his first 2 starts this season, joining Marcus Stroman, Kyle Freeland and Bryce Elder … He is the only pitcher in the NL with 2 starts and a relief appearance thus far, and the only pitcher in baseball to do
so without allowing a run

• Not As Hard As It Looks: Strahm, who prior to this season had not made a start since August 2021, has both of the scoreless starts by any Phillies pitcher this season … In his 2 starts and 1 relief appearance, Strahm has held opponents to a .143/.189/.143 slash line, allowed only 7 baserunners in 10.0 IP (2 BB, 5 1B) and struck out 10 of the 37 batters he has faced

• Reverse Splits: 31 of the first 37 hitters Strahm has faced this season have been RHH … They are slashing .103/.161/.103 with 9 SO against him … Among all 85 pitchers with at least 30 RHH faced this season, none has matched or exceeded that OPP slash line … In his career, RHH are slashing .224/293/.385 as opposed to LHH slash line of .251/.328/.397 … Dating back to 9/11/22, the 44 RHH he has faced are hitting only .135/.237/.192 with 19 SO

• Good Memories: Nearly 4 years ago to the day, on 4/19/19, Strahm made the best start of his career against CIN, tossing 8.0 IP with 2 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 SO … It is to this day his only career start of more than 6.1 IP … Today will be his 3rd career start vs CIN, tied for his most against any team (also: ARI and ATL) … He has a 0.90 ERA (1 ER, 10.0 IP), 0 BB, 9 SO in the other 2 combined

• Welcome Aboard: Strahm is in his first year of a two-year contract with the Phillies after signing with the club as a free agent in December

• vs NL Central: 1-4, 2.68 ERA (12 ER, 40.1 IP) in 20 games (5 starts)

ROAD:
• 2023: 0-0, 0.00 ERA (5.0 IP) in 2 games (1 start)

• Career: 9-18, 3 SV, 3.64 ERA (73 ER, 163.1 IP) in 113 games (17 starts)

2023 SEASON:
• Tied his longest career scoreless start (5.0 IP) on 4/10 vs MIA (other: 4/13/19 at ARI)

• On 4/4 at NYY made his first start since 8/17/21 at COL (51 relief apps between)

2022 SEASON:
• Spent season with BOS as a relief pitcher

• Posted a 1.88 ERA (3 ER, 14.1 IP) over his first 17 appearances and a 2.95 ERA (13 ER, 39.2 IP) over his first 45

• On injured list with a left wrist contusion, 7/13-8/18; included rehab assignment to Worcester (AAA)

• Averaged 10.48 SO/9.0 IP (52 SO, 44.2 IP)

• Surrendered just one home run to the 57 LHH he faced

CINCINNATI REDS NOTES:

RED HOTS
• Today the Reds recalled from Louisville RHP Casey Legumina (#65, legguh-meena) and placed on the 15-day injured list RHP Connor Overton (right elbow strain).

• In his first stint at Class AAA, in 4 relief apps for the Bats Legumina posted a 1.59 ERA (5.2ip, 6h, 1er, 0bb, 5k, 1.06whip, .261baa).

• When he pitches, Legumina will become the first Reds player this season to make his Major League debut…12 Reds made their MLB debuts last year.

• Will be the fourth rookie to appear in a game for the Reds this season (IF Spencer Steer, RHP Fernando Cruz, RHP Kevin Herget)…23 rookies,
including 13 pitchers, appeared in at least 1 game for the Reds in 2022.

• Legumina was acquired from the Twins in November for IF Kyle Farmer.

TODAY’S GAME
• Is Game 3 (1-1) of a 4-game series vs Ruben Amaro’s Phillies and Game 3 (1-1) of a 7-game homestand that includes an upcoming 3-game series vs the American League East Division’s Tampa Bay Rays, who will play here for the second straight season.

• The Reds are coming off their first road trip of the season (1-5; 1-2 at Phi, 0-3 at Atl)…included Thu’s rainout of the Phillies’ home opener.

SERIES NOTES
• The Reds and Phillies are meeting for the second consecutive weekend.

• The Reds are 35-31 all-time vs Phi at Great American Ball Park.

• Last weekend at Citizens Bank Park, the Phillies earned a 2-1 series win in their first home games of the season.

• With a minimum of 50 games played, the Reds’ .328 winning percentage at Phi’s Citizens Bank Park (21-43) is their lowest at any road ballpark.

• The Reds went 3-14-2 in their 19 previous series vs the Phillies at CBP, their only series wins there in August 2006, May 2017 & August 2021.

• Since May 2014, the Reds have lost 19 of their last 27 games at CBP.

RAYS UP NEXT
• The Reds are 13-5 all-time vs the Rays, including 3-0 here last season and 7-2 overall in Cincinnati.

• The Reds’ 18 games vs the Rays are tied for their fourth-fewest vs any opponent in the American League (Orioles 15, Angels 16, Red Sox 17,
Mariners 18, Rangers 19).

• Dating back to the 2014 season, the Reds have won the last 4 games vs TB at GABP, including last season’s 3-0 series sweep here in July.

• The Rays last won in Cincinnati on 4/12/14 (1-0 win).

• From 1997-2022 the Redlegs went 188-247 vs the American League, at .432 the lowest interleague winning percentage of any Major League team…in 2022 the Reds went 12-8 vs AL teams (0-2 vs Cle, 2-0 at Cle, 1-2 at Tor, 1-1 at Bos, 3-0 vs TB, 2-1 at NYY, 2-1 vs Bal, 1-1 vs Bos)…was their first winning record vs the American League since 2013 (11-9)…in the 8 seasons between the 2013 & 2022 season series wins,
the Reds went 61-99 vs AL teams (.381).

LEADING OFF
• In the first inning, Reds batters lead the Major Leagues in on-base percentage (.459) while ranking second in batting average (.389) and T4th in runs scored (12).

• When leading off the Reds’ half of the first inning, Jonathan India is hitting .500 (6-12, 1bb, .538obp, .917slg, 2 2b, 1hr, 6r)…his 6 runs scored in the first inning tie Sea’s Julio Rodriguez for the most by a leadoff hitter in the Major Leagues… NYY’s Aaron Judge leads all batters, regardless of spot in the order, with 7 runs scored in the first inning.

REHABBING
• 1B Joey Votto is with Louisville on a rehabilitation assignment (10g, 9gs at 1B, 1gs at DH, 45pa, 7-38, .184, 2 2b, solo HR, 5rbi, 6bb, 21k)…began his rehab on 4/1 at Nashville and hit a solo HR off Caleb Boushley on the first pitch he was thrown…on 8/19/22 had surgeries to repair the torn left biceps and torn rotator cuff in his left shoulder.

• RHP Luke Weaver (right elbow flexor strain) is with Louisville on a rehabilitation assignment (2gs, 9ip, 3h, 3er, 4bb, 9k, 1hr)…started and threw 4.0 hitless innings in Sun’s 8-1 loss vs Indianapolis (2bb, 4k, 14bf, 61 pitches)…started last night’s 7-6 loss at Toledo (5ip, 3h, 3er, 2bb, 5k, Andy Ibáñez solo HR, 1wp, 19 batters, 79 pitches).

• RHP Lucas Sims (low back spasms) is with Louisville on a rehabilitation assignment (2g, 0-0, 0.00, 2ip, 1h, 0r, 1bb, 3k, .143baa)…threw a scoreless fifth inning in Sun’s 8-1 loss vs Indianapolis (1h, 0bb, 1k, 4bf, 12 pitches)…threw a hitless fifth inning in Wed’s 7-1 loss at Toledo (1bb, 2k, 4bf, 21 pitches)…is scheduled to pitch today and tomorrow at Toledo.

Today’s Pitcher – #51 Graham Ashcraft, RHP
• This afternoon is making his third appearance of the season and his first career appearance vs the Phillies…never has faced any of the Phillies’ hitters.

• Started the third game of the season and on 4/2 earned the 3-1 win vs the Pirates…following 2 rainouts, didn’t pitch again until 4/10 at Atl.

• In his last start of spring training, on 3/22 vs SD, allowed 1 hit while recording 10 strikeouts without a walk in 6.0 innings…time of game was 1:52.

• In 2022, in his Major League debut ranked among the National League rookie pitching leaders in starts (T3rd, 19gs), innings pitched (4th, 105.0), ERA (7th, 4.89), strikeouts (11th, 71), opponents’ BA (8th, .281) and WHIP (1.42, 8th).

• From 8/23-9/23 missed 32 days and 31 games while on the 15-day injured list with right biceps soreness.

• In 16 starts prior to the injury went 5-3, 3.97…in his last 5 starts prior to his injury went 1-1, 2.67 (33.2ip, 32h, 10er, 8bb, 24k, 3hr, .252baa), lowering his ERA from a season-high 4.70 to 3.97.

• After 2 rehab apps for Chattanooga and Louisville (5.2ip, 15h, 10r, 5er, 1bb, 11k, 123 pitches), finished the season 0-3, 12.00 in his last 3 starts for the Reds.

• Hunter Greene threw 7.0 scoreless innings (0bb, 8k) in the 7-0 win on 6/6 vs Ari and Ashcraft followed with 6.0 scoreless innings (0bb, 4k) in the 14-8 victory on 6/7 vs Ari…for the first time since 1900, Major League rookie starting pitchers in consecutive games threw at least 6.0 shutout innings without a walk.

• Greene & Ashcraft comprised the third set of Reds rookie pitchers since 1901 to make consecutive starts of at least 6.0 scoreless innings, joining Mike Regan & Hod Eller in 1917 and Sal Romano & Robert Stephenson in 2017.

• Made his Major League debut in the 3-2 win on 5/22 at Tor…replaced in the rotation scheduled starter RHP Connor Overton, who following the previous day’s game was scratched with a stress reaction in his lower back…Ashcraft already was with the team as a substitute player for the series in Toronto.

• In 2021 was an MiLB.com Organization All-Star, MLB.com’s Reds Pitching Prospect of the Year, the Reds’ Minor League Pitcher of the Month for June and a 3-time league Pitcher of the Week.

• His fastball, slider and curveball all have been rated by Baseball America the best among Reds minor league pitchers.

• Was selected by the Reds in the sixth round of the June 2019 draft…was signed by Jonathan Reynolds.

MLB Preview: Milwaukee Brewers (10-4) at San Diego Padres (7-8)

MLB Editor
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MLB Preview: Milwaukee Brewers (10-4) at San Diego Padres (7-8)

MILWAUKEE BREWERS NOTES:

TODAY’S GAME: Is game 6 (3-2) of a 10-game trip to Arizona (1-2), San Diego (2-0) and Seattle (3g)…..following this trip and an off day next Thursday, the team returns to American Family Field for a 9-game homestand against Boston (3g), Detroit (3g) and Los Angeles-AL (3g).

IN THE TRAINER’S ROOM: RHP Jason Alexander (right rotator cuff), LHP Aaron Ashby (left labrum), RHP Adrian Houser (right groin), OF Tyrone Taylor (right elbow), INF Luis Urías (left hamstring), LHP Justin Wilson (left elbow) and RHP Brandon Woodruff (right shoulder) are on the IL…..Alexander, Ashby and Wilson are on the 60-day IL.

IN THE STANDINGS (16 days): The Brewers have spent the following number of days alone or tied at each position in the NL Central standings: FIRST: 14, SECOND: 0, THIRD: 2, FOURTH: 0, FIFTH: 0…..the team is currently in first place, leading the second-place Cubs by 2.0 games.
SERIES-LY SPEAKING: The Brewers are 3-1-0 in series play.
Game 1: 3-2, Game 2: 4-1, Game 3: 3-1, Game 4: 0-0
Sweep Wins (1): vs. NYM (3g, 4/3-4/5)
Sweep Losses (-): None

AT HOME: The Brewers are 5-1 at home, going 2-0-0 in series play…..the team went 46-35 at home last season, going 15-8-4 in series play.

ON THE ROAD: The Brewers are 5-3 on the road, going 1-1-0 in series play…..the team went 40-41 on the road last season, going 9-12-5 in series play.

2022 IN REVIEW: The Brewers went 86-76 last season, missing the postseason for the first time since 2017…..the team was eliminated from NL Central contention on September 27 and eliminated from postseason contention on October 3, snapping their franchise-record four consecutive years of making the playoffs…..the team won at least 86 games for the fifth consecutive full season (since 2017), joining the Dodgers (since 2012), Astros (since 2017) and Yankees (since 2017) as the only teams to accomplish the feat during this stretch (does not include 2020).

LET’S GO TO THE VIDEO TAPE: The Brewers have made three replay challenges this season, going 1-2…..their last challenge (lost) came on 4/12 at Arizona as an out call at first base (Willy Adames) stood

BREWERS vs. PADRES
SUMMARY: Are 83-85 all-time, including 2-0 this season…..went 3-4 last season. at MIL: Are 47-42 all-time, going 42-34 at American Family Field and 5-8 at County Stadium…..went 1-3 last season. at SD: Are 36-43 all-time, going 28-29 at Petco Park and 8-14 at Qualcomm Stadium…..are 2-0 this season…..went 2-1 last season and have gone 13-4 in the last 17 games, including 4 straight wins.

TONIGHT’S STARTER: #51 – RHP FREDDY PERALTA (2gs, 2-0, 0.75)
PERALTA AT A GLANCE: Freddy Peralta, 26, is making his third start…..Peralta last started in a 6-1 win last Sunday vs. St. Louis (6ip, 4h, 1r, 1er, 3bb, 7k, 102 pitches)…..he earned a 10-0 win in the home opener on 4/3 vs. New York-NL (6ip, 2h, 3bb, 7k, 85 pitches)…..opponents are batting .146 (6-for-41, 0hr)…..Peralta was acquired from Seattle, along with RHP Carlos Herrera and RHP Daniel Missaki, in exchange for 1B Adam Lind on 12/9/15…..on 2/28/20, he signed a 5-year contract through the 2024 season with club options for 2025 and 2026.

BABY ON BOARD: Peralta and his wife, Maritza, welcomed their second child into the world, a boy named Freddy Jr., on March 29 in Milwaukee…..the youngster weighed 9 lbs and 9 ounces…..the couple also has a daughter named Norah.

LAST SEASON: Peralta went 4-4 with a 3.58 ERA in 18 games/17 starts…..he held opponents to a .190 batting average with 86 strikeouts in 78.0 innings…..the team went 8-9 in his starts…..he produced 4 quality starts…..he was on the injured list twice last season: 5/23-8/2 (right posterior shoulder strain) and 9/9-9/24 (right shoulder inflammation).

CAREER: Is 32-17 with a 3.73 ERA in 118 games/69 starts (427ip, 177er)…..is in his sixth Major League season, all with the Brewers (2018-23)…..is 24-15 with a 3.70 ERA as a starter (343ip, 141er) and 8-2 with a 3.86 ERA in relief (84ip, 36er)…..was an All-Star in 2021.

CAREER AT AMERICAN FAMILY FIELD: Is 20-10 with a 3.21 ERA in 64 games/36 starts (235.2ip, 84er)…..is 2-0 with a 0.75 ERA in 2 starts this season (12ip, 1er)…..went 3-4 with a 4.34 ERA in 11 games/10 starts last season (45.2ip, 22er)…..CAREER ON THE ROAD: Is 12-7 with a 4.37 ERA in 54 games/33 starts (191.1ip, 93er)…..went 1-0 with a 2.51 ERA in 7 starts last season (32.1ip, 9er).

CAREER vs. PADRES: Is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 3 appearances, all coming in relief in 2019 (5.2ip, 1h, 1bb, 9k).

SAN DIEGO PADRES NOTES:

Padres drop 3rd straight game, lose 2nd of 4-game series to the Brewers

• Padres’ starter Michael Wacha was tapped for 7 runs (all earned) and 11 hits in his 4.1 IP…he surrendered 4 runs and 4 extra-base hits in the 1st inning, the most XBH he’s ever allowed in a single frame in his career.

• Jose Azocar, Trent Grisham, and Nelson Cruz all doubled, and Luis Campusano hit a solo home run in the 5th inning for his 3rd-career big fly.

Padres offensive woes
• In 5 games since the start of the Padres @ Mets series, the Padres have scored just 11 runs, tying with the Nationals and White Sox for the fewest of any team in the big leagues…they’ve also struck out 50 times, the most of any NL team in that span.

When the opposing team scores first
• When the Padres’ opponent scores 1st, the Friars are 1-6 this year… when San Diego plates 3 or fewer runs, they are also 1-6.

• When they allow 5-or-more runs, they are 0-6. Padres pitching have allowed 20 SB, most in Majors

STARTING PITCHERS
RHP SETH LUGO X RHP FREDDY PERALTA 7-8 10-4 VS
2023 marks his 20th season
Entered ’23 with a 1,435-1,345 record
3x Manager of the Year (2007, ’12, ’18)
2001 World Series Champion (ARI)

PADRES ’23 RECORDS
• The Padres themselves have swiped 7 bags so far, T-9th in MLB…San Diego pitchers, however, have allowed a Major League-most 20 SB at a 95.2 stolen base percentage (20 SB in 21 attempts).

Padres in a stretch of playing 18 games in 18 days; 21 games in 22 days
• San Diego had their 1st off day on Wednesday and will not enjoy their 2nd one until April 24th, playing 18 games in 18 days from April 6-23…their 3rd off day will be on April 28, and since April 6, their current stretch of games are also 21 games in 22 days.

• San Diego is also starting the regular season with 24 games in 25 days… they had 1 off day on April 5, they will have one in Chicago on April 24th, and they’ll have their 1st off day in San Diego on April 28.

STARTING PITCHER – SETH LUGO 42
Lugo set to make first career start vs.

Brew Crew
33-year-old Seth Lugo takes the mound for his first career start vs. Milwaukee, having made 8 relief appearances vs. the Brew Crew from 2018-22 with a 0.69 ERA (1 ER, 13.0 IP), .196 opp. AVG, 0.69 WHIP and 16 SO vs. 0 BB….he’s riding an 11.0-scoreless inning streak vs. MIL across his last 7 appearances dating back to May 25, 2018.

4 Brewers hitters have at least 1 HR vs. Lugo, with Christian Yelich’s 2 leading the way, followed by Brian Anderson, Luke Voit and Willy Adames 1 HR apiece vs. Lugo 2 wins and a 1.50 ERA-or-fewer Lugo is 2-0 with a 1.38 ERA on the season, 1 of 3 NL starters with 2 wins, no osses and a 1.40 ERA-or-fewer (also: MIL’s starter today Freddy Peralta and COL’s Kyle Freeman).

Inside Lugo’s first 2 starts in brown and gold
Seth allowed 1 ER for the 2nd consecutive start in his road debut this past Sun, April 9 at ATL…he’s made 28 career app. vs. ATL but just 4 starts, and improved to 4-0 in each of those 4 starts, and Sun was his first start vs. ATL since 2017. Following the game, Lugo said: “I’ve been whomped up here quite a few times that I remember….I know that lineup is really tough to get through and to shut them down the way I did is really gratifying.” Lugo made his Padre debut in SD’s 4th game of the season on Sun, April 2 vs. COL…he tossed a career-high-tying 7.0 innings for the 4th time and the first since June 11, 2017 @ ATL…his 7 punchouts in his Padre debut were 1 shy of his career high 8, done so 3 times.

Starting vs. Relieving
Lugo’s spot in the Padres rotation marks his first starts since the 2020 season, when he made 7 starts out of his 16 total appearances during the pandemic-shortened campaign… his Padre debut on March 30 vs. COL snapped a streak of 108 consecutive relief appearances dating back to June 2, 2021. In his 40 career starts, he has gone 17-10 with a 4.16 ERA and a .267 opponents’ AVG…in his 237 career relief outings, he is 17-14 with 16 SV in 30 SVO, 61 holds and a .212 opp. AVG.

Filthy with the curve
Per Statcast, last season he relied on his curveball 34% of the time with opponents hitting .159 (11-69) against the pitch and ranking in the 99th percentile in spin rate (3,253 rpm)…this season, he again is relying on the curveball 34.7% of the time and opponents are hitting .250 against the pitch (5-20)…the 3,266 rpm ranks in the 100th percentile in curveball spin rate.

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