Baseball Roundtable

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.  (Disclaimer: Game-by-game stats from 1920-48 Negro League games have not been fully incorporated into MLB records.)

This week, we’re looking at a bit of an obscure record, held by a player who is far from obscure. I might add this Tuesday’s topic has a (tenuous) tie to this tonight’s All Star Game.

The related trivia question is, “What player holds the record for the most pinch-hitting appearances in a single season?”  The answer is Hall of Famer Ichiro Suzuki, who appeared in 109 games (in his age-43 season) as a pinch hitter for the 2017 Marlins.  Oh, for that tie to the AS Game: Suzuki was an MLB All Star for ten consecutive seasons and the MVP of the 2007 MLB All Star Game (a 5-4 AL win), after going three-for-three, with one run and two RBI and hitting the first (and still  only) All Star Game inside-the-park home run.  Side note: In his MLB career, Suzuki had 117 regular-season home runs and one post-season dinger and none were inside-the-parkers.

One for the Ages.

From 2013 through 2013 (his age-27 through age-39 seasons), Ichiro Suzuki appeared in 2,061 MLB games and just 31 (1.5 percent) as a pinch hitter.  From 2014 through 2019 (his age-40 through age-45 seasons), Suzuki appeared in 592 MLB games, 240 (40.5 percent) as a pinch hitter. In 2017, he appeared in 136 MLB  games, 109 (80.1 percent) as a pinch hitter.

More About the Remarkable Career of Ichiro Suzuki

Suzuki was signed by the Orix Blue Wave of the Japan Eastern League, as an 18-year-old, in 1992 (after hitting .502 for his high school career). He spent most of his first two seasons in the minor leagues.   Then, in 1994, he made the Blue Wave squad full-time.  Over the next seven seasons, as a full-time player, Suzuki never hit under .343. During that span, he won seven consecutive batting titles, seven consecutive Gold Gloves and three consecutive MVP Awards. By the time he signed with the Mariners (November of 2000), he had collected 1,278 hits in Japan.

If there were any doubt about Suzuki’s ability to translate his slight stature, exceptional speed and unorthodox hitting style to the U.S. major leagues, they were quickly erased.  In his first season with the Mariners, Suzuki led the AL lead in batting average (.350); led MLB in hits (242): topped the majors in stolen bases 56; and earned a Gold Glove. Oh, and he was also an American League All Star, Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player.  Suzuki was a no-doubter.

Ichiro went on to collect 200+ hits in each of his first ten MLB seasons (including a new MLB single-season record 262 safeties in 2004. He also stole 30 or more bases in nine seasons. In his first  ten MLB campaigns (through his age-36 season), Suzuki led the league in hits seven times, won two batting titles and earned ten Gold Gloves. Over those first ten campaigns, he hit .331-90-558, with 2,244 hits, 1,047 runs and 383 steals.  Suzuki played a total of 19 MLB seasons, going .311-117-780, with 1,420 runs scored, 3,089 hits and 509 steals. And, remember, this was after nine seasons, seven batting titles and more than 1,220 hits at the highest level of competition in Japan.  He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025.  Of note is the fact is one of the 394 voters who cast ballots did  not vote for Suzuki.

Best Retirement Party Ever

It appeared as if Ichiro Suzuki was headed for (or in) retirement as a player in 2018. He played in a total of 15 games for the Mariners that season, making his last on-field appearance May 2.  After that he served primarily as a mentor and batting-baserunning-defense instructor. But fate (or the Baseball Gods) had a more spectacular retirement party in mind for Suzuki.  In 2019, MLB slated a  season-opening series with the Mariners facing the Athletics (March 20-21) in  Japan’s Tokyo Dome. Suzuki started both games fort Seattle, in front of  a packed house of home-country fans. In the eighth frame of Game Two, Suzuki left the field to a thundering standing ovation. After the game, he announced his retirement  as a player.

 

Well, enough about Suzuki (although he deserved every word and more). Here are a few other quick pinch-hitting tidbits.

• No player made more plate appearances as a pinch hitter than Lenny Harris … 836 during his MLB career (1988-2005). He also holds the record for most career pinch-hit at bats at 804 and most career pinch hits (212).  His pinch-hit stat line was .264-5-90 and his career line was .269-37-369 in 1,903 games.   Over his career, Harris appeared in at least 50 games at 1B,  2B, 3B, SS, LF and RF. He  appeared as a pinch-hitter for eight MLB teams (Reds, Dodgers, Mets, Rockies, Diamondbacks, Brewers, Cubs, Marlins).
• Matt Stairs holds the record for pinch hit home runs in a career (23), punching pinch-hit homers for the Athletics, Brewers, Pirates, Royals, Tigers, Blue Jays, Phillies and Padres. Over his 19-season MLB career (1992-93, 1995-2011), Stairs hit  .257-23-87 as a pinch-hitter.  His overall stat line was .262-265-899.
• The record for consecutive pinch hits in a season is eight; Dave Philly, appropriately of the Phillies, in 1958 and Rusty Staub of the Mets in 1983.
• The record for pinch hits in a single season (28) belongs to John Vander Wal of the 1995 Rockies. That season, Vander Wall had 85 pinch-hitting plate appearances (72 at bats).  He went .389-4-17, with 12 walks as a pinch batter. Vander Wal played 14 MLB seasons (1991-2004), going .261-97-430 in 1,372 games.  His career pinch-hitting line was .236-17-95 in 624 plate appearances.
• The record for pinch hit home runs in a single season is seven: shared by Dave Hansen of the 2000 Dodgers and Craig Wilson of the 2001 Pirates.

Primary Resources: Ichiro Suzuki, Society for American Baseball Research bio, by Douglas Jordan; Stathead.com; Baseball-Almanac.com

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P 1178

It’s July 1, and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s June Wrap up – a look at the stats and stories that caught The Roundtable’s attention over the past month, as well as The Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month, Trot Index and more.  Just a few of this month’s highlights that you will find in this post:

• The end of a streak of 54 2/3 scoreless innings pitched (Cristopher Sanchez);
• A batter successfully challenging three strike calls in a single plate appearance;
• Freddie Freeman moving into the top 100 all-time in base hits;
• The youngest player ever to hit an “Ultimate Grand Slam” (Braden Montgomery);
• Max Scherzer‘s 3,500th strikeout;
• Perhaps the most dominant “Maddux” ever thrown (Jacob Misiorowski);
•  A game which featured two (unrelated) Max Muncy‘s who share an April 25 birth date – each playing third base and batting seventh for their respective teams;
• 2026’s first “cycle”  (Pete Crow-Armstrong);
• George Springer‘s and Mookie Betts‘ 300th career homers;
• A game in which one team had one player hit two homers in an inning (Kyle Schwarber) and another hit for the cycle (Bryce Harper);
• A player collecting 15 RBI in two days (Dansby Swanson); and
• Much more.

For the stories and stats, read on.

—–BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE PLAYERS AND PITCHERs OF  THE MONTH (JUNE)—–

AMERICAN  LEAGUE

Pitcher of the Month – Drew Rasmussen, RHP, Rays

Okay, it’s unusual to see a pitcher who goes 3-2 recognized as Pitcher of the Month, but the Rays’ Drew Rasmussen had an exceptional June. His 0.82 earned run average was the lowest in the AL (among pitchers with at least 25 June innings) and second only to the Giants’ Logan Webb’s 0.71  (again, among MLB pitchers with 25 June innings).  (It should also be noted that the Rangers’ Jacob deGrom was the only AL pitcher to reach four wins in June.)

In five starts (33 innings), Rasmussen gave up just 16 hits and four walks, while fanning 39. His WHIP of 0.61 and average against of .142 were the best among AL pitchers with at least 25 June innings.

In Rasmussen’s two June losses, the Rays scored a total of one run (he was the losing pitcher in a 1-0 and a 2-1 game).

Honorable Mentions: The Rangers’ Jacob deGrom led the AL in June wins, going 4-1, 3.00 in six starts. He led the AL in strikeouts with 45 (in 36 innings) and walked just eight.  The Red Sox’ Sonny Gray went 3-0, 2.14 in five starts, fanning 34 and walking just seven. The Mariners’ Logan Gilbert went 3-1, 2.84 in five starts, fanning 38 and walking six. Rangers’ closer Jacob Latz notched 11 saves in 11 opportunities, fanned 19 in 16 innings and recorded a 1.13 June ERA.

Player of the Month Dillon Dingler, C, Tigers

Wow! The Rays’ Yandy Diaz’ .385 average was one of those bright and shiny things that catch The Roundtable’s eye. But I looked a little deeper and went with Tigers’ C Dillon Dingler. He had just two fewer hits than Diaz, and had more home runs, RBI and runs scored.  Dingler went .333-8-25. His 25 RBI led the AL, as did his 22 runs scored. (The three walks versus 24 strikeouts were a bit troubling, but the overall production was there.) Dingler, who had eleven multi-hit games in June, was one of only three AL players to have 20 or more RBI and 20 or more runs scored in the month.  (The others were the Astros’ Yordan Alvarez and A’s Nick Kurtz.)

Honorable Mentions:  I have to include Rays’ DH Yandy Diaz and his .385 June average. Diaz led the AL in hits with 37.  He had one home run, 15 RBI and 15 runs scored. Tampa Bay 3B Junior  Caminero led the AL lead with ten June home runs and put up a .327 average with 24 RBI.  Royals’ RF Jac Caglianone went .309-9-19  for the month.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Pitcher of the Month

Tie:  Logan Webb, RHP, Giants; Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers; Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Marlins

Okay, this is wishy-washy, but I could find good reasons to honor all three.  So, I’ll declare a tie and forgo “Honorable Mentions.”

Logan Webb went 3-1 in five starts and pitched to a tidy 0.71 earned run average in 38 innings (second most in ther NL).  That ERA was the lowest in MLB among pitchers with at least 25 June innings. Webb gave up just 19 hits and four walks, while fanning 29. His June WHIP of 0.61 was the best among NL  pitchers with 25 June innings and his average against (.148) was the NL’s third-best. I n his lone loss, he pitched a complete game in a 2-1 loss to the Giants.

Jacob Misiorowski of the Brewers keeps lighting up radar guns and pitched to a 3-1 record in four June starts.  Among NL pitchers with at last 25 June innings, his 0.96 ERA was second- best and a 0.71 WHIP third.  His .128 average against was best in MLB. In his four June starts, he fanned 38 batters and walked eight in 28 innings. Misiorowski’s month included a “Maddux” – a complete game shutout in less than 100 pitches. In that game, he set a record for strikeouts in a Maddux, fanning 15 Phillies in a 6-0 win.   

Sandy Alcantara’s numbers were not as flashy as a few others the NL, but he clearly pitched well enough to win – running up a 6-0, 3.35 record in six starts. Like his six wins, his 40 1/3 June innings pitched topped all of MLB.  Those six victories were one of those bright and shiny things that The Roundtable could not ignore. Alcantara pitched into the seventh inning in all but one of his starts.

Player of the Month – Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF, Cubs

Nothing wishy-washy here.  Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA) did it all. Hit for average – his .381 average led all NL players with at least 75 June at bats and his 40 June hits led MLB.  Hit for power – his eleven home runs tied for second in the NL. Flash some speed – his eight June steals tied for second in the NL.  Armstrong also drove in 20 runs, scored 21 and put up a .468 on-base percentage. His month include 12 multi-hit games and  a 14-game hitting streak, during which he went .441-6-14).

Honorable Mentions: Nationals’ 1B Luis Garcia led MLB with 27 June RBI, to go with a .306 average, 11 homers and 17 runs scored. Brewers’ LF Jackson Chourio hit .319-10-25, with 23 runs scored. He was one of just four MLB players to hit double-digit dingers in June and his 37 June hits were second only to Crow-Armstrong.   Rockies’ C Hunter Goodman led MLB with 13 June home runs, to go with a .250 average, 25 RBI and 19 runs scored.

 

——SURPRISE PLAYER OF THE MONTH—

Jacob Latz, LHP, Rangers

Okay, maybe the Rangers saw this coming, but I was surprised to see southpaw Jacob Latz leading MLB in June saves – with 11 saves in 11 opportunities; allowing just two runs in 16 innings, while fanning 19 and walking four.  Latz was a fifth-round pick (Rangers) in the 2017 draft (out of Kent State University – although he did not play here). He was drafted first in 2014 (Blue Jays, eleventh round), after a 10-0, 0.23 high school season as a senior, but chose instead to attend Louisiana State University.  At LSU, he missed the 2015 season due to elbow issues (medical redshirt ) and pitched in just seven games in 2016 (0-1, 7.56). Latz transferred to Kent State University for 2017, but had to sit out the season due to transfer rules. He then signed with the Rangers in 2017.

Leading up to 2026, he played in eight minor-league seasons, going 23-17, 3.94 (132 games/62 starts) and saw action with the Rangers in three seasons (4-4, 3.08, one save in 83 games, nine starts).  This season started with Latz filing a middle-relief role, but he earned a shot at the closer role by mid-April – and he has run with it. Since April 15, he is 1-0, 1.71, with 18 saves in 20 opportunities and 33 strikeouts to just six walks in 31 2/3 innings.

Honorable  Mention: Twins’ LF Trevor Larnach, a 2018 first-round pick (Twins) out of Oregon State University, is in his sixth MLB season.  From 2021-2025, he went .241-52-198 in 442 games for the Twins. This season looked similar.  Through May, Larnach was .253-3-16 in 48 games. Then came the June surprise, with Larnach raking at  a .342 pace (23 games), with two homers, 11 RBI, and 13 runs scored.

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THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE

Through June  30,  35.3% of the MLB season’s 97,000  plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We’re talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher’s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here’s the breakout: strikeouts (22.1%); walks (9.0%); home runs (3.0%); HBP (1.1%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). 

The 35.3% is up slightly from the 34.5% through June  in 2025. I have also looked into full-year Trot Index figures for the years I have been a fan: 34.9% in 2024; 30.3% in 2010; 29.9% in 2000; 31.7% in 1990; 23.1% in 1980; 27.0% in 1970; 25.1% in 1960; and 22.8% in 1950.

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——-Team Statistical Leaders June  2026 ———-

RUNS SCORED

National League:  Brewers (162); Phillies (153); Dodgers (147)

American League:  Twins (146); Athletics (142); Royals (140)

The fewest runs in June were scored by the Braves (77). In the American League, it was the Guardians (87).    

AVERAGE

National League:  Brewers (.281); Rockies (.274); Dodgers (.271)

American League:  Twins (.271); Royals (.264); Rangers (.262)

The lowest team average for June belonged to the Braves at .213 – the Guardians were at the bottom of the AL at .218.

HOME RUNS

National League:  Phillies (42); Pirates (40); Rockies (40)

American League:  Tigers (49); Athletics (46); Twins (43)

The fewest home runs in June were hit by the Braves (19). The Guardians were at the bottom of the AL at 21.

TOTAL BASES

National League:  Brewers (447); Rockies (437); Pirates (420)

American League:  Twins (435); Tigers (418); A’s (398)

The Rockies led MLB in June Slugging Percentage at .487. The Tigers led the AL (.476)

DOUBLES

National League:  Rockies (59); Brewers (52); Pirates (52)

American League:  Royals (53); Angels (47); White Sox (46)

TRIPLES

National League:   Cubs (8); Nationals (8); Marlins (8)

American League:  Tigers (7); Orioles (6); Red Sox (5); Angels (5)

 STOLEN BASES

National League:  Nationals (31); Padres (30); Marlins (26)

American League:  Yankees (32); Royals (28); Mariners (23)

The Dodgers and Astros stole the fewest sacks in June at seven – in 11 attempts for the Dodgers and nine for the Astros.   

WALKS DRAWN

National League:  Cubs (117); Brewers (115); Dodgers (111)

American League:  Rays (96); A’s (94); Orioles (93); Astros (93)

The Brewers led MLB in June on-base percentage at .359. The Rays led the AL at .343. The Braves had MLB’s lowest June OBP at .270.  The Guardians anchored the AL at .285. 

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League:  Phillies (257); Reds (254); Pirates (254)

American League:  Orioles (261); Angels (251); A’s (248)

Diamondbacks’ batters fanned the fewest times in June (169). The Twins fanned the fewest times in the AL at 176.

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EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League:  Marlins (3.01); Brewers (3.82) Padres (3.98)

American League:  Tigers (3.14); Red Sox (3.55); Yankees (3.71)

The A’s had the highest June ERA at 6.20.  The Rockies had the highest ERA in the NL at 6.17. Also over 5.00 were the Royals (5.60) and Twins (5.59)

STRIKEOUTS

National League:  Brewers (278); Phillies (273); Pirates (241)

American League:  Astros (254); A’s (253); Angels (249)

The Phillies averaged an MLB-best 10.32 strikeouts per nine innings in June. The Mariners averaged an AL-best 9.47.  Ten teams averaged nine whiffs per nine or better.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED

National League:  Cardinals (73); Marlins (79); Braves (79)

American League:  Rays (55); Rangers (61); Tigers (62)

The Rays walked an MLB-lowest 2.18 batters per nine innings in June.  The Reds walked an MLB-worst 4.47 batters per nine frames.

SAVES

National League:  Marlins (9); Phillies (9); Dodgers (8)      `

American League:  Rangers (15); Astros (11); Blue Jays (10)

The Nationals blew the most saves in June  – ten (in 17 opportunities).  The Padres went five-for-five in converting save opportunities.   

Walks+ Hits/Innings Pitched (WHIP)

National League:  Marlins (1.15); Brewers (1.18); Mets (1.21); Dodgers (1.21)

American League:  Rays (1.11); Tigers (1.13); Mariners (1.16)

Bonus Stats:

• The A’s gave up an MLB-high 50 home runs in June. The Marlins gave up an MLB-low 22 home runs.
• Marlins’ pitchers held opponents to an MLB-low .220 average in June. The Rockies’ staff was touched for an MLB-high .295 average.
• The Mariners’ strikeouts-to-walks ratio for June topped MLB at 3.96. The Royals had MLB’s worst ratio at 1.83.

—–JUNE 2026 HIGHLIGHTS—–

 

Happy Birthday To You (and me)

June 1, was three-year-old Nolan deGrom’s third birthday.  It just so happens his dad Jacob deGrom was on the mound that day (facing the Cardinals in St. Louis), making his fourth attempt to move from 99 career victories to the century mark. Well, happy birthday father and son!  Jacob threw five shutout innings on Nolan’s day, giving up four hits and one walk while fanning eight and running his career record to 100-69.

All Good Things Must Come To An End

In the seventh inning of the Padres’ 3-2 loss to the Phillies on June 3, Padres’ SS Jackson Merrill poked a ground ball, RBI single off Phillies’ southpaw Cristopher Sanchez. This makes the highlights list because it halted Sanchez’ streak of scoreless innings at 54 2/3 – dating back to   the first inning of a game on April 30.   Per the Elias Sports Bureau, Sanchez’ streak is the fifth longest since 1893 (when the mound was moved to its present distance from home plate) and the longest over that period by a southpaw. Ahead of Sanchez are: Orel Hershiser, 1988 Dodgers (59 IP); Don Drysdale, 1968 Dodgers (58); Walter Johnson, 1910 Nationals (55 2/3); and Jack Coombs, 1910 Athletics,  (53).

Leave Me In Coach, I’m Ready To Play!

Don Drysdale’s 1968 streak of 58 consecutive scoreless innings, included a record six consecutive complete-game shutouts (May 14, 1968 through June 4, 1968).  Despite that streak, he finished  the season at 14-12, but with a 2.15 earned run average (sixth-lowest in the National League). Eight of Drysdale’s 14 wins were shutouts.

The Dodgers scored two or fewer runs in 18 of Drysdale’s starts. They finished seventh that season (76-86), scoring the NL’s fewest runs (470, 2.9 per game).

Off To A Good Start

On June 6, in the top of the ninth inning, Royals’ SS Bobby Witt, Jr., in just his fifth MLB season and 691^st career game, drove in what proved to be the winning run in a Royals’ 3-2 come-from-behind victory over the Twins.  Notably, it was Witt’s 400^th career MLB RBI, making the 25-year-old just the fifth MLB player with 400 or more RBI and 150 or more steals before his 26^th birthday (joining Mike Trout, Cesar Cedeno, Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ben Chapman).

Witt closed June at .290-12-36, with 44 runs scored 28 steals line on the season. In his first four MLB seasons (2022-2025), Witt stole 30 or more bases four times and hit 20 or more home runs four times. He logged 30-30 (HR.SB) seasons in 2023 & 2024.

That’s A Little Bottom Heavy

On June 7, as the Angels topped the Dodgers 13-5 at Dodger Stadium, the bottom of the order more than earned it halos. The bottom of the order (6-7-8-9 spots) – RF Jo Adell, 3B Nick Madrigal, CF Jose Siri and C Sebastian Rivero – went a combined 13-for-15, scoring ten runs and driving in ten. In the spirit of #InBaseballWeCountEverything,” the Elias Sports Bureau reported that the Angel quartet’s combined .867 average for the game was the highest by a group of bottom-four lineup members in the Modern Era (since 1900).

More Baseball News To Challenge My Patience

On June 8, in a Reds’ 6-2 loss in San Diego, Reds’ SS Matt McLain had a challenging at bat in the eighth inning.  He came up versus Padres’ reliever Jason Adam with two outs, no one on and the Reds down 3-2. On a 1-0 count, McLain challenged the  strike call. It was reversed, sending the count to 2-0. On 2-0, McLain again challenged the strike call.  It was reversed, sending the count to 3-0. On 3-1, McLain again challenged the strike call and it was again reversed, giving him a walk.  It made McLain the first MLB hitter to successfully challenge three pitches in a single at bat. I guess that deserves a tip of the cap (I guess).  Side note: Going into the game, McLain had challenged only one call this season.

Boom. Boom. Boom-Boom!

The Athletics introduced themselves to Las Vegas (their future home) with a grand display of fireworks.  Whether it was the minor-league Las Vegas Ballpark, the quality of the pitching, the spirit of the moment or the hot high-roller air, the first-ever Athletics’ MLB contest in Las Vegas was a big “hit.” (The A’s will move from Sacramento to a new ballpark on the Las Vegas Strip in  2028.) The June 8 game was part of a special six-game “homestand” in Las Vegas.

The final score of the 12-inning Las Vegas contest was 15-14 in favor of the visiting Brewers.  Fans were treated to plenty of flying horsehides – 34 combined hits, 11 home runs (seven by the losing Athletics).

It was A Challenging Game to Watch

The June 8 Athletics/Brewers contest saw an MLB single-game record 16 ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) challenges – with 11 umpire’s calls overturned.

More #InBaseballWeCount(or measure)Everything

On June 9, the Yankees’ rookie RF Spencer Jones popped his first MLB home run.  The second-inning, two-run shot was crucial to the New York 3-2 win over the Guardians in Cleveland. The counting/measuring? Statcast reported the dinger’s 112.2 MPH off the bat made it the hardest hit first career MLB home run by a Yankee  since Statcast began tracking (2015).

Doin’ The Freddie

On June 9, Dodger 1B Freddie Freeman, batting third in the LA lineup, went two-for-four, with a walk , two runs scored and an RBI as LA topped Pittsburgh 12-3. The highlight came in the Dodgers’ ten-run seventh inning. Freeman walked (and later scored) in his first plate appearance of the inning. He came up again in the frame (after the Dodgers had put nine runs on the board) and rapped an RBI single to center on the first pitch he saw from Brandon Bidois. Why a highlight?  It was the 2,500^th base hit of the 36-year-old Freeman’s career.   The 2,500^th safety placed Freeman number 102 all-time in MLB base hits (by June’s end he had 2.523 hits, moving up to number 98).  That 2,500^th safety also made him the only active player with 2,500 hits. Considering Freeman ended June with a .293-13-46 stat line on the season, there should  be plenty of hits left in his bat.  Perhaps he can see 3,000 on the horizon.

Let’s Get This Party Started … How About With A Walk-Off?

On June 9, 23-year-old Braden Montgomery made his MLB debut in RF, batting sixth, as his White Sox topped the Braves 6-5 in Chicago.   Debut-Day was a big day for Montgomery, who was hitting .315-4-19 for the Triple-A Charlotte Knights (29 games), when called up.  He made it a bigger day, by  going two-for-five with one run and three RBI – including  a game-winning, walk-off, two-run, home run in the bottom of the tenth  (off Braves’ closer Raisel Iglesias) to give the ChiSox the 6-5 victory.

In the process, Montgomery (per the Elias Sports Bureau) became just the fifth player in MLB history to hit a walk-off home run in his MLB debut.

The others (with their career MLB stat lines) are: Billy Parker, 1971 Angels (.222-3-21 in three seasons/94 games); Josh Bard, 2002 Indians (.254-39-220 in 10 seasons/586 games); Miguel Cabrera, 2002 Marlins (.306-511-1,881 in 2,797 games/21 seasons); Carlos Perez, 2015 Angels (.218-17-78 in 278 games/five seasons).

For those who like to know such things, Montgomery was a 2024  first-round draft pick (Red Sox) out of Texas A&M (he also played at Stanford). In three college seasons, he hit .317-62-203 in 187 games). Note: He was among the players traded to the White Sox in the December 2024 trade that sent Garrett Crochet to the Red Sox. In two minor-league seasons, Montgomery  hit .284-22-109 in 177 games.

A Grand Walk (Off) In (and out of) The Park

On June 10, the Giants (playing at home) trailed the Nationals 9-1 going into the bottom of the eighth. They staged a remarkable comeback, scoring five in the eighth and five in the ninth for a 11-10 win.  The big blow came from rookie DH Bryce Eldridge. Eldridge came up with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth and the Giants trailing by three (10-7). He delivered a walk-off Grand Slam (off an 2-0 pitch from Mitchell Parker) for the win. In baseball parlance, this was an “Ultimate Slam” – a walk-off, Grand Slam with your team trailing by three.

#InBaseballWeCountEverything, the blast made him the youngest MLB player ever to hit an Ultimate Grand Slam (21 years-233 days), besting Roberto Clemente (21 years-342 days). Clemente’s Ultimate Slam, by the way, it was more of a run-off than a walk-off. It was an inside the park Grand Slam, giving the Pirates a 9-8 win over the Cubs.

From May 23 through June 17, Giants rookie 1B Bryce Eldridge had a streak of 22 consecutive games getting on base. Over that time, Eldridge went 31-for-77 (.403) with 14 walks, five homers and 19 RBI.  In the process he raised his average from .139 to .319. On June 19, Eldridge took and O-Fer (four) against the Marlins, ending the streak.

The 21-year-old Eldridge was a First-Round pick (19th overall) in the 2023 MLB Draft.  When called up from Triple-A Sacramento in early May, he was hitting .333-5-22 (30 games).  Eldridge did see limited action with the Giants a year ago .107-0-4 in ten games, retaining his rookie status for 2026. In four minor-league seasons, he hit .285-59-216. 

3,500 For Mad Max

On June 10, the Blue Jays’ Max Scherzer got knocked around a bit by the Phillies in Toronto.  He gave up five runs in 3 1/3 innings (five hits, three walks, four strikeouts). Not exactly highlight material.  However, Scherzer did earn a spot here in the top of the first inning, fanning Phillies’ leadoff hitter Kyle Schwarber  on a 1-2 changeup for his (Scherzer’s) 3,500th career strikeout, putting him at number eleven on the all-time K list (only nine whiffs out of the top ten).   Scherzer finished June with 3,503 career strikeouts,

The Second “Maddux” of 2026

On May 12, the Twins’ Bailey Ober threw a “Maddux” – a complete-game (at last nine innings) shutout of less than 100 pitches – using 89 pitches to shutout the Marlins 3-0 (two hits, no walks, seven strikeouts).   One month later, on June 12,  the Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski celebrated the one-year anniversary of his MLB debut by  throwing perhaps the most dominant Maddux ever, shutting out the powerful Phillies 3-0 on 95 pitches.  Why was this one special?

• The Miz fanned 15, the most strikeouts ever (since pitch counts have been tracked) in a Maddux (he walked none);
• 74 or his 97 pitches (77.9 percent) were strikes;
• Twelve of his strikeouts came on pitches of at least 100 MPH, 10 at least 101, eight at least 102, six at least 103 and two at least 104;
• He faced the minimum 27 batters, the only baserunner was erased on a double play;
• His 58 pitches of at least 100 MPH beating his own record for most pitches of at least 100 MPH in a game.
• He went to Ball Two on only five batters.

 Unlucky 13 — Well, In Some Ways (Or Going So Far To Get So Close)

On June 13, Dodgers’ starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto (say or key that three times fast), had it all going his way (or so it seemed). With two out the eighth inning in his start against the White Sox (in Chicago), he was on the brink of MLB history. He had retired the first 23 batters in order. Then an error by SS Mookie Betts let White Sox’ 2B Chase Meidroth reach base (Perfect Game gone). Yamamoto got the next batter Jacob Gonzalez on a ground out (no-hitter and shutout intact, Dodgers up 7-0). In the bottom of the ninth, on an 0-1 count, on Yamamoto’s 109^th pitch, White Sox’ CF Tristan Peters homered to left (shutout gone, but chance for Yamamoto’s first MLB complete game still there). Yamamoto retired the next batter (C Edgar Quero) on a flyout to center and was then relieved by Alex Vesia.  At the close of Juine, Yamamoto was 8-5, 2.67 on the season.

Twenty-Three Skiddoo

On June 14, Rockies’ starter Tomoyuki Sugano was rocked for nine hits (two walks) and eight earned runs in just five innings of “work” (97 pitches). Still, he came away with his seventh win of the season – leaving the contest after five frames with the Rockies in front 14-8.  In the game, the Rox set a new franchise record for runs scored – charging to a 23-9 win over the Athletics. Colorado had 24 hits (six homers).  All of this, perhaps, should come as no surprise. Between June 8 and June 14, the A’s (who will move to a new ballpark in Las Vegas in 2028 and currently call Sacramento home) played six games as the Las Vegas minor-league park.  That park made Coors Field look like a pitcher’s  park.  In the six games in Vegas, a total of 96 runs were scored and 35 homers hit.

First Cycle of the Season – Something To Crow About

On June 15,  Cubs’ CF/leadoff hitter Pete Crow-Armstrong hit the first cycle (single, double, triple, home run in one game) of the 2026 season.  As the Cubs topped the Mets 5-4 in Chicago, Armstrong: homered off Mike Lorenzen to open the bottom of the first; tripled off Lorenzen leading off the bottom of the third; doubled (still Lorenzen) with one out in the fifth; singled (off Brennan Bernardino) to open the seventh; and hit a sac fly (off Victor Vodnik) with one out in the eighth. It was the sixth four-hit game of Crow-Armstrong’s four-season MLB career.  He finished June .284-18-46, with 20 stolen bases on the season.

Vengeance Is Mine

On June 15, Tigers’ 3B Colt Keith (great baseball name) came up in the bottom of the first inning, with two outs and the bases loaded. He was hit by a pitch on the first offering he saw from Astros’ starter Kai-Wei Teng.  (Side note: Teng’s first frame did not see a ball put into play:  walk-strikeout-strikeout-walk-hit by pitch- hit by pitch- strikeout.) The plunking seemed to wake up Keith’s bat. After hitting just one home run in his first 65 games played this season (.257-1-10), Keith went on to hit a two-run homer off Teng in the third inning; strikeout (versus Al Blubaugh) in the fifth; hit a two-run home run (off Jayden Murray) in the seventh; and hit a solo home run (off Bryan Abreu in the ninth).  Side note: Keith is now the second-youngest Tiger to homer three times in a game (at 24-years and 305-days old), second only to Tigers’ legend Al Kaline (20-years and 119 days).

Rolling A 300

On June 16, as the Blue Jays topped the Red Sox 6-1, Toronto DH/leadoff-hitter George Springer hit a two-run home run (off a 1-0 pitch from Ryan Watson) in the top of the ninth. It was Springer’s seventh dinger of the season and, more important (from a highlights perspective), the 300^th of his 13-season MLB career (2014-26 … Astros, Blue Jays). The four-time All Star has hit 20 or more home runs in nine seasons (a high of 39 in 2019) and stolen 15 or more bases in four campaigns.

1,000 for Freeland

On June 19, Rockies’ southpaw Kyle Freeland picked up his fourth win of the season, pitching 7 1/3 innings (four hits, two runs, no walks, eight strikeouts), as the Rockies topped the Pirates 4-3 in Colorado.  His seventh strikeout of the game (Marcell Ozuna on a 3-2 pitch in the seventh) inning was his 1,000^th career strikeout, making him just the second pitcher to record 1,000 K’s in a Rockies’ uniform. (The first was German Marquez, who fanned 1,069 in nine seasons  as a Rockie.)  Freeland is in his tenth season with the Rox.

Save Those Ticket Stubs

On June 20, as the Phillies topped the Mets 15-3, in Philadelphia,  43,402 fans at Citizen Bank Park were treated to two doses of MLB history, as Phillies’ DH Kyle Schwarber hit two homers in one inning and Phillies’ 1B Bryce Harper hit for the cycle.  So, save those ticket stubs – a great bit of memorabilia. Oh wait, electronic tickets! Well, if the Phillies are smart (or maybe just benevolent), they’ll offer to print tickets for those who attended the game.  Anyway, here’s how it went down.

Phillies’ power-hitting Schwarber, hitting in number-two slot, poked a pair of homers in the bottom of the third inning. He led off the inning with a blast to RF (off a 1-1 pitch from Freddy Peralta) and, later in the frame, hit a three-run homer to right (on a 2-1 pitch from Cionel Perez). Schwarber added a third roundtripper in the seventh. On the day, Schwarber was four-for-five (three homers and a double), with  four runs scored and six RBI. As June came to a close,  Schwarber’s stat line was .256-30-55.

In the same game, Harper (batting in the number-three spot):

• Hit a solo homer (off Peralta) with two out in the first;
• Doubled to right in the third (off Peralta), after Schwarber’s dinger leading off the inning;
• Added a two-out single (off Perez) when he came to the plate for the second time in the third inning (again after a Schwarber home run);
• Slashed a two-run triple in the fifth (off Tobias Meyers) – completing the cycle in five frames.

Harper had one more at bat, grounding out (again after a Schwarber home run)  in the seventh. For more on two-homer innings, click here.

A Milestone for Sandy

On June 23, Marlins’ pitcher Sandy Alcantara (the 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner) reached a Marlins’ milestone in a 6-4 Marlins’ win over Texas (in Miami). Alcantara ran his 2026 record to 8-4, 4.01, going 6 2/3 innings, giving up just one run on five hits (three walks/four strikeouts). His final strikeout of the game, Rangers’ C Kyle Higashioka in the sixth inning, gave Alcantara 1,002 punchouts as a Marlin – making the franchise’s all -time strikeouts leader. (Alcantara, who started his career with the Cardinals, also recorded ten whiffs in a St. Louis uniform.)

Ouch! What A Way To End A Streak

The Athletics’  Zack Gelof – who has played at least ten games at 3B, 2B and center field this season – came into the A’s game of June 23 on a 24-game hitting streak. From May 25 through June 22, Gelof had gone .351 (33-for-94), with five homers, 12 RBI and 19 runs scored.  On June 23, Gelof flied out leading off the game (played in San Francisco).  In the bottom of the second Giants’ 3B Matt Chapman hit an RBI single  to left, but was thrown out attempting to stretch into double. The throw came from A’s left fielder Tyler Soderstrom to Gelof (playing second). On the play Chapman stepped on Gelof’s right hand (later diagnosed as a laceration and contusion – let’s s say bloody and bruised), knocking him from the game (and ending the hitting streak). The A’s lost the game 3-1 and Gelof  was listed as day-to-day. Gelof, who came into the 2026 season a .225-33-88 hitter over three seasons (237 games), was hitting .282-11-29 at the time of his injury.

The Great Dansby

A month worth of RBI in two days, that’s what Cubs’ SS Dansby Swanson produced on June 23-24. On the 23rd, Swanson went two-for-three, with a home run and four RBI, as his Cubs topped the Mets 9-6. In a double header the very next day, Swanson went two-for-four, with two home runs and seven RBI in Game One and three-for-five with four RBI in Game Two.  (The Mets won the two games by 10-3 and 10-5 scores, respectively.)  Two days, seven hits in 12 at bats, three homers, 15 RBI and four runs scored. Before the two-day RBI binge, Swanson had 41 RBI in 73 games this season.

It Ain’t Over ‘till It’s Over

On June 23, the Phillies, playing in Washington, found themselves down 8-6 to the nationals, with two outs, no one on and two balls and two strikes on Phillies’ SS Trea Turner.  They were literally down to their last strike.  Well, Turner kept things alive with a single off Brad Lord – and the next nine Phillies’ batters (including Turner once again, went: game-tying homer by  LF Brandon Marsh; single, single, go-ahead homer by 2B Bryson Stott, walk, single, double, walk before an inning-ending strikeout.  Outcome? Phillies, one strike away from defeat, went on to a 14-9 win.

But wait, there’s more. The very next day (June 24), the Phillies were again down to their last strike – trailing the Nationals 4-3, with two outs, on one and a 1-2 count on PH Derek Hill.  On the next pitch, Hill took reliever Richard Lovelady deep to right for a two-run go-head homer. (The Phillies won again, this time 5-4 as the Nats went down in order in the bottom of the ninth.)

Just slightly less drama the next night (June 25).  This time, the Phillies and Nats were tied 5-5 going into the ninth, when DH Kyle Schwarber led off with a single and 1B Bryce Harper hit a go-ahead, two-run homer. The Phillies went on to score three more run and take a 10-5 victory,

Elias Sports Bureau reports that the Phillies are the first team to hit a go-ahead home run in the ninth inning of three consecutive games. #InBasebeallWeCountEverything.

You Can Betts On It

On June 24, as the Dodgers topped the Twins 4-3 in Minneapolis, LA SS Mookie Betts (batting clean-up) went three-for-four with one run, one RBI and one home run. It’s the home run we are interested in.  It was Betts’ ninth of the season and his 300^th career roundtripper. Betts,m an eight-time All Star now in his 13th MLB season,  has eight seasons of 20 or more homers (four of 30+) on his MLB resume.

Okay, Now We’re Getting A Little Carried Away With These New Stats

Just read an MLB.com report that Giants’ OF Victor Bericoto  homered on June 24 and 25 and the two homers had identical exit velocities of 108.7 MPH, traveled an identical projected distance of 445 feet to left-center and had respective hang times of 5.2 and 5.3 seconds. For those who like to know such (more important) things, Bericoto’s June 24 long ball was a walk-off game-winner with two outs in the bottom of the ninth of a Giants’ 2-1 win over the A’s, while his June 25 blast was a two-run shot in the sixth inning of a Giants’ 9-6 loss to the A’s.

Rookie Closes June On A Roll

Pirates’ rookie RF Esmerlyn Valdez had a tough day on June 25 (despite a Pirates’ 5-1 win over Seattle). The 22-year-old, batting out of the six-hole, struck out swinging in the second and fourth innings and went down looking in the seventh. That dropped his  average on the season (12 games) to .152.  Then, a light seemed to go on, in the month’s last five games (June 26-30), he went ten-for-fifteen (.667), with two doubles, four homers, four walks, six RBI and only two strikeouts. In the process, he became just the third  Pirates’ rookie to go deep in four straight games (Dick Stuart & Garrett Jones).  (Side Note: Valdez was called up to the Pirates – from Indianapolis – on May 22, sent back down on May 28 and recalled on June 11. )  As we closed out June, Valdez MLB stat line was ,313-6-12 in 17 games.

Mad Max – All He Does Is Win

On June 26, Marlins’ righty Max Meyer twirled a gem picking up a win, tossing seven two-hit, no-run (two walks/five strikeouts) innings in a 4-0 win over the Cardinals in St. Louis. It makes the highlights because it ran Meyer’s 2026 record to 9-0 (2.60 earned run average) in 17 starts – and made  him the only pitcher left this season with at least ten starts and no losses.

Remember When They Called The White Sox The “Hitless Wonders”

On June 27, the White Sox put a “Big Hurt” (pun intended) on the Royals (in Chicago).  They collected 23 hits in a 22-1 win over Kansas City. The highlight or lowlight, depending on your point of view, was the third inning, when the ChiSox plated ten runs on eight hits and two walks. a few notes:

• CF Tristan Peters (6 RBI), 3B Miguel Vargas (5 RBI) and 1B Jacob Gonzalez (5 RBI) became just the second trio of White Sox batters to have at least five RBI in the same game. First trio? April 23, 1955 (Sherman Lollar Bob Nieman and Minnie Minoso).  Side note: Peters and Gonzalez contributed their ten RBI out of the number-eight and -nine spots in the batting order.
• Eleven batters had plate appearances for Chicago in the game and all 11 got on base at least once.
• Eight White Sox batters recorded at least two hits;

Goodman A Good Man With The Bat

On June 27, as Colorado rocked the Twins 8-5 in Minneapolis, Rockies’ C Hunter Goodman (who launched 31 homers last season) had his first career MLB three-homer day – driving in five of the Rox’ eight tallies (giving him 47 RBI on the season). The offensive outburst made him the fourth-fastest (in terms of team games) catcher to reach 25 homers in a season.  And, as the chart below shows, he’s in some pretty good company.

Okay, This Is Getting A little Repetitive

You’ve seen plenty of highlights focusing on player going deep on their Bobblehead Night. Well. It happened again. On June 27, as the Giants topped the Braves 5-0 in San Francisco (on Rafael Devers Bobblehead Night), Devers smacked a pair of home runs  (a solo shot in the second inning and a three-run blast in the third).  It was Devers’ first multi-homer game of 2026. Still, the prize for the “Best Bobblehead Day” remain in the hands (and bat) of the Twins’ Byron Buxton, who celebrated his 2025 Bobblehead Day (July 12) by hitting for the cycle: single in the first inning; triple in the second; double in the third; single in the fifth; home run in the seventh.

This One Isn’t Going Into The Spokes

Okay, it’s getting a little crazy out there.  It was reported that, on June 28, a 2018 Topps Ohtani Chrome SuperFactor Rookie baseball card sold at auction for a bit over $2.5 million dollars.

Favorite Coincidence of the Month … Muncy(s) To The Max

Regular readers know how The Roundtable likes a good coincidence. Well on June 29, as the Dodgers took on the Athletics in Sacramento, there was a double Max Muncy sighting. Playing third base and batting seventh for the Dodgers was a Max Muncy born on August 25, 1990.  Playing third base and batting seventh for the Athletics was a Max Muncy born on August 25, 2002. The Dodgers won the game 9-4 and also prevailed in the battle of the Muncy(s). The Dodgers’ Muncy went two-for-five with a homer, two RBI and a run scored.  The A’s Muncy went one-for-three with a walk and a run scored.  Oh, by the way, the two Muncy(s) are not related.

Another Wrigley Wal (off) In The Park

On June 29, the Cubs edged the Padres 3-2 (in Chicago) on a Seiya Suzuki walk-off, RBI single with two out in the bottom of the ninth. Why a highlight? It was the Cubs’ MLB-leading tenth walk-off win of the season. 1B Michael Busch is Cubs’ Walk-Off King – driving in the walk-off run in three of the ten games.  For those who like to know such things, the Cubs have just two walk-off losses on the season.

A Rookie’s June Shower of Hits

Royals’ Rookie C/DH Carter Jenson (he played 20 games for the Royals in 2025, so his rookie status is still intact for 2026) ran off a 20-game hitting streak from June 6 through June 30 – the still-active streak is the  longest ever for a Royals’ rookie. During the streak, Jenson went 28-for-81 (.351), with five home runs, 18 RBI and 16 runs scored. For those who like to know such things, the longest hitting streak ever by a rookie is 34 games (1987, Benito Santiago, Padres). Jenson ended June with a .251-11-45 line on the season.

Look Out, Going Deep … Again … Finishing With A Flourish

On June 30, as the Rays topped the Royal 5-1, the Rays’ 22-year-old 3B Junior Caminero went deep (and we need to add a key word) again. It was his fifth straight game (going back to June 25) with a home run.  During that run, Caminero went ten-for-twenty (.533), with seven homers and 15 RBI. The Rays, by the way, won all five. Caminero ended June hitting .294-23-52 on the season – following a .264-45-110 season as a 21-year-old in 2025.

Well, That’s The First 1,000

On June 30, the Padres topped the A’s 9-3 in Sacramento, running their season record to 43-41. From a Highlights’ perspective, it was Padres’ Manager Dave Roberts’ 1,000^th managerial victory, It came in his 1,606^th game as a manager, making Roberts the “fastest” manager to reach the 1,000-win mark.  That distinction was previously held by Cap Anson, who got to 1,000 wins in managerial game 1,641.

Let’s Try Something A Little Different

Going into their game against the Angels on June 30, the Mariners were the only team in MLB to score more than half (50.9 percent) of their 2026 runs via the home run. They closed June with a 8-3 win over the Angels in which the Mariners collected 13 hits – 12 singles and a double.

–INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS FOR JUNE—

BATTING AVERAGE (at least 75 June at bats)

American League: Yandy Diaz, Rays (.385); Yordan Alvarez, (.344); Trevor Larnach, Twins (.342)

National League: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (.381); Luis Arreaz, Giants (.354); Jung Hoo Lee, Giants (.340)

The lowest June average among players with at least 75 at bats belonged to the Red Sox’ Jarren Duran at .144 (14-for-97).

HITS

American League: Yandy Diaz, Rays (37); Dillon Dingler, Tigers (35); Junior Caminero, Rays (32); Yordan Álvarez, Astros (32)

National League: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (40); Jackson Chourio, Brewers (37); six with 35

The Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong led MLB in June extra-base hits with 18 (five doubles, two triples and eleven home runs).

HOME RUNS

American League: Junior Caminero, Rays (10); Jac Caglianone, Royals (9); Nick Kurtz, Athletics (9)

National League:  Hunter Goodman, Rockies (13); Luis Garcia, Nationals (11); Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (11)

The Cubs Pete Crow-Armstrong led all players with at least 75 June at bats in slugging percentage at .781. The Rays’ Junior Caminero led the AL at .673.

RUNS BATTED IN

American League: Dillon Dingler, Tigers (25); Junior Caminero, Rays (24); Nick Kurtz, A’s (23); Pete Alonso, Orioles (23

National League: Luis Garcia, Nationals (27); Jackson Chourio, Brewers (25); Hunter Goodman, Rockies (25)

RUNS SCORED

American League:  Dillon Dingler, Tigers (22); Jac Caglianone, Royals (21); three with 20

National League: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (23); Jackson Chourio, Brewers (23); Trea Turner, Phillies (23)

DOUBLES

American League: Brandon Nimmo, Rangers (10); Carter Jensen, Royals (9); Willson Contreras, Red Sox (8);  Tristan Peters, White Sox (8)

National League: Manny Machado, Padres (9); TJ Rumfield, Rockies (9) Fernando Tatis, Jr., Padres (9)

TRIPLES

American League:  Leody Taveras, Orioles (3); five with two

National League: Luis Arreaz, Giants (4); Kyle Stowers (Marlins (3); 13 with two

STOLEN BASES

American League:  Bobby Witt, Jr., Royals (11); Jazz Chisholm, Yankees (10); Henry Bolte, A’s (7); Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (7)

National League: Nasim Nunez, Nationals (10); Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs (8); Jackson Merrill, Padres (8); Esteury Ruiz, Marlins (8)

The Padres’ Jackson Merrill stole the most June bases without getting caught (8).

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

American League:  Nick Kurtz, A’s (41); Zach Neto, Angels (40); Colson Montgomery, White Sox (37)

National League: James Wood, Nationals (43); Brandon Marsh, Phillies (38); Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (38); Kyle Stowers, Marlins (38); Brice Turang, Brewers (38)

WALKS

American League:  Nick Kurtz, A’s (21); Yordan Alvarez, Astros (19); Kevin McGonigle, Tigers (19)

National League: Jake Bauers, Brewers (22); Juan Soto, Mets (21); Michael Busch, Cubs (20)

The highest on-base percentage among players with at least 75 June at bats was .468, by the Cubs’ Pete Crow-Armstrong. The AL leader was the Rays’ Yandy Diaz at .465.

PITCHING VICTORIES

American League:  Jacob deGrom, Rangers 4-1); 21 with three

National League:  Sandy, Alcantara (6-0); John King, Marlins (5-0); seven with four

The Diamondbacks’ Merrill Kelly led MLB with five June losses (0-5, 7.31 in five starts).

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 25 June innings)

American League: Drew Rasmussen, Rays (0.82); Slade Cecconi, Guardians (1.88);  Tanner Bibee, Guardians (1.89)

National League: Logan Webb, Giants (0.71); Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers (0.96); Foster Griffin, Nationals (1.15)

The highest ERA among pitchers with at least 25 June innings or at least four June starts was 10.00 by the Athletics’ Jeffrey Springs (0-2, 10.00 in six starts, 30 earned runs in 27 innings).

STRIKEOUTS

American League: Jacob deGrom, Rangers (45K  / 36 IP); Joe Ryan, Twins (43K / 33 IP); Cam Schlittler, Yankees (42K / 32 IP)

National League: Cristopher Sanchez, Phillies (41K / 37 2.3 IP);Chase Burns, Reds (40K / 27 1/3 IP); Paul Skenes, Pirates (39K / 27 2/3 IP)

INNINGS PITCHED

American League: Shane Baz, Orioles (36 2/3); Jacob deGrom, Rangers (36); Gage Jump, A’s (35)

National League: Sandy Alcantara, Marlins (40 1/3); Logan Webb, Giants (38); Cristopher Sanchez, Phillies (37 2/3)

WALKS + HITS/INNINGS PITCHED (at least 25 June innings)

American League: Drew Rasmussen, Rays (0.61); Tanner Bibee, Guardians (0.72); Logan Gilbert, Mariners (0.79)

National League: Logan Webb, Giants (0.61); Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers (0.64); Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers (0.71)

Among pitches with at least 25 June innings, the Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski held batters to the lowest average at .128.

SAVES

American League:  Jacob Latz, Rangers (11); Louis Varfland, Blue Jays (9); Josh Hader, Astros (8)

National League:  Jhoan Duran, Phillies (9); Riley O’Brien, Cardinals (7); Pete Fairbanks, Marlins (6); Raisel Iglesias, Braves (6); Tanner Scott, Dodgers (6)

Jacob Latz of the Rangers saved the most games without a blown save in June  (11).  

Bonus:

Among pitchers who faced at least 75 batters in June:

• The Astros’ Tatsuya Imai fanned the most batters per nine innings at 15.28;
• The Tigers’ Tarik Skubal had the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 15.0. (He walked two batters and fanned 30 in 22 1/3 innings.)

 

If the season ended June 30, your post-season teams would be:

American League:  Rays, White Sox, Rangers    WC: Yankees, Guardians, Mariners.

National League:  Dodgers, Brewers, Braves       WC: Phillies, Cardinals, Mets

Primary Resources: Stathead.com; MLB,com

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Freeman  All-Pro Reels from District of Columbia, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.   As June winds down, it seems appropriate to focus on a record that was set many moons (and many Junes) ago. The bit of trivia we are looking g at is ”What MLB pitcher holds the record for the most victories in a calendar month?”

J0hn Clarkson

That distinction, by a wide margin goes to Hall of Fame righty John Clarkson and his remarkable 15-win June for the  the 1885 Chicago White Stockings. It was, of course, a different game back then (for example a 50-foot pitching distance, six balls for a walk and pitchers throwing from a flat surface).  Still, consider this: 1) The White Stockings played 23 games that month – and Clarkson started 16 of them; 2) Chicago won 22 games that June and Clarkson won 15 of them (setting the previously noted record for wins in a month by a pitcher). Clarkson’s  lone mark in the defeat column that month was a June 25 2-0 loss to the Phillies. Note: Clarkson was called into heavy duty on the mound due to an injury to Larry Corcoran.

Clarkson finished the 1885 season with a 53-16, 1.85 record in 70 games (all starts – 15 more than his nearest competitor).  He recorded  68 complete games (a 13-game advantage over second place) and ten shutouts (a three-game lead). He also led the league in innings pitched (623 – 131-inning advantage), and strikeouts (308 – a 50-whiff lead).

Over a 12-season MLB career (1882, 1884-94 … Worcester Ruby Red Legs, Chicago White Stockings, Boston Beaneaters, Cleveland Spiders), Clarkson went 328-178, 2.82. He led the league innings pitched four times;  in wins, starts, complete games and strikeouts three times each;  shutouts twice; and ERA once.  With the Beaneaters in 1889, he won the pitching Triple Crown, leading the league in wins, ERA and strikeouts.

Now, I did note that baseball was a bit of a different game back then, so I also looked into the pitchers who share the record for the most wins in a month in the modern Era (post 1900) at ten.  That would be the 1910 Philadelphia Athletics’ Jack Coombs and, depending on your preferred sources, possibly Rube Waddell of the 1902 Athletics.  For more on those two, read on.

Jack Coombs … Philadelphia Athletics, July 1910

Athletics’ righthander Jack Coombs pitched in 11 games (10 starts) in July of 1910.  He went 10-1, 1.10. Coombs completed all ten of his starts and threw five shutouts. In games he started, he was 10-1, with a 0.91 earned run average. (The American League overall earned run average was 2.52.) Coombs’ only loss during the month came against the Nationals in Washington on July 7, when he pitched a complete game in a 4-1 loss. Coombs gave up four runs (two earned) on nine hits and five walks in that game.  For the season, Coombs was 31-9, 1.30 in 45 games (38 starts). He threw 35 complete games (second in the league) in 38 starts and led the AL with 13 shutouts. He was also first in WHIP (0.820), second in the league in earned run average and hits per nine innings (5.892) and third in innings pitched (353) and strikeouts (224). Despite a heavy workload, as the season wore down, from September 5 through September 25, he threw a then-record 53 consecutive scoreless innings, still the fourth-longest single-season scoreless inning streak in the Modern Era.

Winning The Big One

After leading the 1910 Athletics to the American League pennant, Jack Coombs pitched three complete games (all wins) in six days, as the Athletics topped the Cubs in the World Series in five contests. During the Series, Coombs went 3-0-3.33 on the mound and  .385 (5-for-18) with three RBI at the plate.

Coombs pitched in 14 MLB seasons (1906-1918, 1920 … Athletics, Robins, Tigers), going 158-110, 2.78 in 354 games (268 starts), with 187 complete games and 35 shutouts. From 1910 through 1912, he went 80-31, 2.64, twice leading the league in victories.  Side note  Coombs lost considerable time in 1913 and 1914 (Typhoid Fever) getting in just four games over the two seasons.

George “Rube” Waddell, Philadelphia Athletics, July 1902 … MAYBE

Now this is a pretty unique player and an equally unique situation, Waddell did not join the Athletics until late June of 1902.  He had been pitching for Los Angeles Looloos of the independent California League (a look at Waddell’s life story and reputation as, perhaps, the zaniest player in MLB history makes the Looloos an appropriate landing spot).

Long story short, Waddell was lured from California to Philadelphia, making his debut with the Athletics on June 26.  In the month of July, Waddell appeared in 12 games and went 10-1 (or 9-1) with three (or two) of his victories coming in relief.

Now, here is the unique “situation” I addressed earlier. On July 8, Waddell came on in relief in the fifth inning with the A’s up 9-6 (starter Bert Husting had been touched for six runs in four innings). Waddell retired the side in order in the fifth.  The A’ then scored 12 in the top of the sixth and manager Connie Mack pulled Waddell and brought in Lewis Wiltse. Now, at the time, the rules for awarding a win were more like flexible guidelines for the scorekeeper. (The five-inning minimum for a starter to earn a win, for example was not on the books.) Various sources disagree on whether Waddell got the win. In his article “Rube Waddell in 1902,” published in the 1979 Baseball Research Journal (SABR), researcher/writer Peter Palmer credits Waddell with the win (he also notes that “The McMillan Research team gave him (Waddell) the win in this game, but other sources, including Sporting Life, did not.”  Digging further, I found that Baseball-Almanac.com credits Waddell with the win and Baseball-Reference.com and Retrosheet.org do not. Those latter two sources credit the win to Bert Husting, who left the game with a 9-6 lead after four innings on the mound. I’ll let the reader be the judge.  The fact is, Waddell’s July 1902 run deserves recognition one way or the other.

Making UP For Lost Time!

In 1902, despite not joining the Athletics until late June, Rube Waddell went 24-7, 2.05 – finishing second in the AL in wins and ERA, while also leading the league in strikeouts with 210 (50 ahead of second-place finisher Cy Young).  Not bad for joining the team and league with 40 percent of the season over.  

Waddell pitched in 13 MLB seasons (1897, 1899-1910 … Louisville Colonels, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Orphans, Philadelphia Athletics, St. Louis Browns), going 193-143, 2.16 in 407 games (340 starts), with 261 complete games and 50 shutouts.

Power Pitching

In 1904, Rube Waddell fanned 349 batters for the Athletics (110 more than the runner-up in Ks).  It set a modern record for strikeouts in a season that lasted until 1965 (Sandy Koufax – 383).  IN 1904, Waddell averaged 8.2 strikeouts per nine innings.  The next highest was 6.6 (Chief Bender) and the MLB average was 3.8.

For a lot more on the Waddell, a truly eccentric lefty,  click here.

Primary Resources: Baseball-Reference.com; Baseball Almanac.com; “Rube Waddell in 1902,” by Peter Palmer, published in the 1979 Baseball Research Journal; “The Great Pennant Race of 1885,” by John J. O’Malley, published in the 1977 Baseball Research Journal.

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary.

P 1175

 

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

This one takes us back a bit. On June 7, 1922, As his Pirates lost to the Giants 9-8 in 18 innings (in Pittsburgh), Pittsburgh CF Max Carey had a record-setting day at the plate. Carey came to the plate nine times and collected three hits and six walks. He remains the only player to reach safely in every plate appearance nine times in a single contest.  Side note: Cubs’ 3B Stan Hack once reached base nine times in a game (another 18-inning affair), but he had ten plate appearances (one sacrifice bunt). The usual disclaimer: Negro League single-game statistics from 1920-48 have not been fully incorporate into MLB records.

In his record-setting game, Carey scored three runs, drove in two and had one double and three stolen bases.

Well, as usual, with The Roundtable, one thing led to another.  First, I was drawn to another unicorn day: May 8, 2016, when Nationals’ RF Bryce Harper reached base seven times in seven plate appearances in a 13-inning Nationals’ 4-3 loss to the Cubs – without getting a single official at bat – a “feat” yet to be duplicated.   Harper:

• Walked on four pitches in the first inning, with one on and one out;
• Walked on five pitches in the third, with one out and no one on;
• Was intentionally walked in the fourth, with runners on second and third and two out;
• Was hit by a pitch, with one on and one out in the sixth;
• Walked on five pitches in the eighth, with one out and no one on base;
• Was intentionally walked in the tenth, with runners on second and third and two out;
• Was intentionally walked in the twelfth wit, runners on second and third and wo out.

With the “wave ‘em to first” intentional walk rule not yet in effect (it took effect the following season), Harper “saw” a total of 27 pitches (assuming he saw the one that hit him) of which only two were (called) strikes. He, in fact, never swung the bat in his seven trips to the plate.

Again, as usual, that was not enough for The Roundtable. I got to thinking back about Max Carey getting on base nine times in nine plates appearance in that 1922 extra-inning game and set out to find the record for getting on base in every plate appearance in a nine-inning (or less) contest.

As you look at the chart, you may notice:

 

• Rennie Stennett’s “seven times up – seven times on” game saw him collect seven base hits, still the MLB  record for hits in a nine-inning game;
• Harry Craft hit for the cycle in his “lucky number seven” day and it was never in doubt. He doubled in the second, tripled in the third, singled in the fourth and completed  the cycle with a homer in the fifth;
• Sean Casey hit two homers when he rolled his lucky seven;
• Mel Ott‘s “Highway to Seven” included five walks and only two hits., as did Ben Chapman‘s.

 

Primary Resource: Stathead.com

 

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

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P 1173

 

Note:  This Tibit Tuesday, orginally published June 16, was updated to include Kyle Schwarber’s two-homer inning on June 21.

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.

In an eight-day span in June, MLB saw two player launch two homers in an inning.  On June 12, Astros’ DH and number-two hitter Yordan Alvarez hit his 23^rd and 24^th home runs of the season. Not totally remarkable, he is a good hitter in the midst of an outstanding season.  As of June 21, when this post was updated, Alvarez was second in the AL in batting average (.320) and RBI (55) and leading the league in home runs (24, tied), hits (90); total bases (177) and slugging percentage (.630). His total bases and slugging percentage were leading MLB.  Noteworthy, from the Tidbit point of view, is that he hit both homers in the first inning of an Astros’ 10-8 win over the Royals (in Kansas City). In his first at bat of the frame, he hit a two-run homer on a 3-2 pitch from Royals’ starter Luinder Avila. Alvarez came to the plate later in the inning with the bases loaded (Mason Black on the mound). The Houston DH tattooed a 1-0 pitch off Black to deep center for a Grand Slam.  One inning, two homers, six RBI. Not a bad start – and it turned out the Astros needed all those runs.

Then on June 20th, Phillies’ power-hitting DH Kyle Schwarber, also hitting in the lucky number-two slot, poked a pair of homers in the bottom of the third inning of a Phillie’ 15-3 win over the Mets. He led of the inning with a blast to RF (off a 1-1 pitch from Freddy Peralta) and, later in the frame, hit a three-run homer to right (on a 2-1 pitch from Cionel Perez). Schwarber added a third roundtripper in the seventh. As of June 21, Schwarber’s stat line was .254-28-49. He was leading MLB in homers and leading the NL in slugging percentages (.595) and  total bases (166).

As always, “One thing led to another,” and I got to thinking about two-homer innings – and whether they are any baseball unicorns to be found among them. First of all, a player launching two homers in an inning is not a unicorn-worthy feat.  It’s happened 66 times since 1900 (71 if you go back to 1880 and include the Players League and American Association of the time). Side note: 33 of those two-homer innings have occurred since the year 2000. 

So, what about that unicorn? It appears in the form of Red Sox’ 2B Bill Regan, who  rapped two home runs in the fourth inning of a Red Sox 10-5 win over the White Sox (in Chicago).  The first one was the easy one. He led off the inning with a home run over the LF wall (off Ted Blankenship (The Red Sox were down 3-0 at the  time).  By the time Regan came to the plate again in the inning, the Sox were up 6-3, Sarge Connally was on the bump for Chicago, there were two out and a runner on first – and Regan smacked a line drive to deep center field. Only this time, he had to run.  He dashed his way to an inside-the park two-run homer to give the Red Sox an 8-3 lead.

That performance made Regan the only MLB player in the Modern Era (post-1900) to hit an inside-the-park and over-the-fence homer in the same inning. In addition, Regan’s 18 career home runs are the fewest ever by a player with a two-homer inning on his resume. Regan played six MLB seasons (1926-31 … Red Sox, Pirates), going .267-18-294 in 641 games. Disclaimer: Negro Leagues’ single-game statistics from 1920-48 have not been fully incorporated into MLB record books. 

Well, as usual, one thing led to another.  So here are a few more two-homer innings tidbits.

Going Where No Man Has Gone Before … Or Since

Seventeen players have launched a Grand Slam as part of a two-homer inning, but on April 23, 1999, Cardinals’ 3B Fernando Tatis not only hit two homers in an inning – he hit two Grand Slams in one inning (giving him unicorn status that he still retains). It was the 11-run third inning of the Cardinals’ 12-5 win over the Dodgers in LA.  Equally surprising to BBRT is the fact that Dodgers’ starter Chan Ho Park was on the mound for both Grand Slams (the second finally drove Park from the game).  This gives both Tatis and Park (the only pitcher to give up two Grand Slams to the same hitter in an inning) unicorn status.  Park’s inning went like this:  single – hit batsman – single – Tatis’ Grand Slam – ground out, first base-to-pitcher – home run (by C Eli Marrero) – walk – walk – fielder’s choice – error by first baseman – single – fly out to right field – Tatis’ second Grand Slam – relieved by Carlos Perez, who got the final out of the inning on a foul pop up.

Teaming Up for a Two-Homer Inning

On May 2, 2002, Brett Boone and Mike Cameron became the first (and still only) two teammates to hit two home runs in one inning in the same game – and they did it in the same inning (a ten-run first in a 15-4 win over the White Sox) and they did it back-to-back (out of the number-two and number-three holes in the batting order). Now, that is a double unicorn.

2 X 2 = A Record

To date, only five  players have achieved two home runs an inning twice in their careers:

• Jeff King, Pirates (April 8, 1995 and April, 30, 1996);
• Willie McCovey, Giants (April 12, 1973 and June 27, 1977);
• Andre Dawson, Expos (June 30, 1978 and Sept. 24, 1985);
• Alex Rodriguez, Yankees (September 5, 2007 and October 4, 2009).
• Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays and Mariners (July 26, 2013 and April 8, 2019, respectively).

From Both Side Now

The Indians’ Carlos Baerga (August 8, 1993), the Cubs’ Mark Bellhorn (August 29, 2002) and the Angels’ Kendrys Morales (July 30, 2012) are the only players to homer from both sides of the plate in the same inning.

Two in One Frame … Why Not Double Up with Two More?

The Braves’ Bobby Lowe (May 30, 1894) and Mariners’ Mike Cameron (May 2, 2002) each achieved a two-homer inning in the midst of a record  four-homer game.

Bothersome Brothers

Brett Boone (May 2, 2002) and Aaron Boone are the only two brothers to both go deep twice in one MLB inning. Brett has the career edge in MLB home runs – 252 to Aarons’s 126.

A Winning ‘Ticket

No team that had a player record a two-homer game has ended up  on the wrong side of the final score in that contest.  The closest call came on July 22, 2006, when Tampa Bay SS (and leadoff hitter) Julio Lugo hit a pair of two-run homers in the fifth inning versus the Ori0les. Tampa ended the inning with a 10-3 lead over Baltimore. The Devil Rays extended the lead to 13-3 in the sixth, but the Orioles scored nine in the seventh.  Tampa ultimately escaped with a 13-12 victory.

Lucky 13

The sixth inning has seen the most two-homer inning (by one player) performances, with 13.  The ninth inning has seen the fewest, with one. On May 2, 2025, the Tigers broke up a 1-1 tie with eight runs in the top of the ninth – versus the Angels). Detroit DH Riley Greene broke the tie, opening the inning with a solo home run off Kenley Jansen. Greene came up later in the inning (against Jake Eder) and added a three-run dinger.  No player has ever hit two-home runs in an extra inning.

Primary Resources: Stathead.com; Baseball-Almanac.com

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

Baseball Roundtable is on the Feedspot list of the Top 100 Baseball Blogs. For the full list click here. 

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Member: Society for American Baseball Research (SABR); Negro Leagues Baseball Museum; The Baseball Reliquary.

P 1172

 

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.  (Yes, I know it’s Monday, but I’ve got a conflict tomorrow and “better a day early than a day late. ”

This week we’re exploring the answer to the gripping (for some of us) question, “Who is the only MLB player in the Modern Era to have a season of at least one hundred plate appearances and put the ball in play every time – zero strikeouts and zero walks?”  The records cited in this post will be for the Modern Era.

Perhaps not the answer you would expect. It was Braves’ right-handed pitcher Johnny Sain, who returned from three years of military service in 1946 and put up 20-14, 2.21 record on the mound (with a league-leading 24 complete games) and hit .298-0-17. Within that batting stat line, you’ll find zero walks and zero strikeouts in 104 plate appearances (40 games).  Side note: In 1948, Sain nearly repeated the feat. He not only was once again a 20+ game winner on the mound, in 40 games (118 plate appearances), he fanned only once (he did draw three walks). That season, he hit .346-0-18..

Going a little deeper:

• From his last two at bats on July 21, 1942 through his game of June 22, 1947, Sain appeared in 69 games (153 consecutive plate appearances) without drawing a walk or striking out.
• For his career, 433 games (857 plate appearances) and had just 24 walks and 20 strikeouts. (I’ll do the math; that’s one strikeout every 42.9 plate appearances.) His final offensive stat line was .245-3-101.

Sain’s professional baseball career took some interesting  turns.  Signed as a teenager, he went  58-41, 3.60 over six minor-league seasons before making his MLB debut (as a 24-year-old) with the 1942 Braves. In his first season with Boston, Sain was used primarily in relief, going 4-7, 3.90 with six saves (awarded retroactively). Then, along came World War II and a draft notice.

In 1943, Sain enlisted in the Navy, where he completed flight training, apparently with such “flying colors” that he served as a Navy flight instructor. During his service, he also took time to  pitch for the “North Carolina Pre-Flight” baseball team, known as the Cloudbusters.

Babe’s Send Off

On July 28, 1943, Johnny Sain pitched for his Navy Cloudbusters baseball team in an exhibition game at Yankee Stadium to raise war-relief funds.  The opposition was a team of New York Yankee and Cleveland Indian reserves. Adding to the attraction was the Yankee-Indians team’s third-base coach – 48-year-old retired major-leaguer Babe Ruth.  Sain was told to take it easy on Ruth, who ultimately walked.  Why is that here in the Tidbits?  It was Babe Ruth’s last at bat in an organized baseball game.

Thanks to Jan Finkel, who wrote Johnny Sain’s Society for American Baseball  Research Bio. 

Sain was discharged and returned to professional baseball – and the Braves – in 1946 and quickly proved that the three-year hiatus from the majors had not dulled his skills. In fact, it may have sharpened them. (Sain would later say learning to fly improved his ability to concentrate.)

Whatever the reasons, Sain’s return to civilian life and the baseball diamond was a success.  In his first year out of a Navy uniform and back in a Braves’ uniform (1946), Sain went 20-14, 2.21, leading the National League in complete games (24) and finishing second in ERA, wins and games started and third in strikeouts.

A few other tidbits I stumbled across in putting together this post:

• Sain is one of just three Modern Era players with a season of 100 more plate appearances and zero strikeouts: OF Lloyd Waner had 234 plate appearances in 77 games (Braves, Reds, Pirates) in 1941 and hit .292-0-11,with zero whiffs and 12 walks; C Bill Randon had 108 plate appearances in 39 games (Reds) in 1920 and hit .283-0-10, with zero strikeouts and five walks.
• Fifty players have recorded seasons of 100 or more plate appearances with zero walks (all but eight were pitchers). Atop this list is White Sox’ P Ed Walsh, who (in 1907) came to the plate 156 times and hit .162-1-10, with zero walks (44 strikeouts). Among position players the leader is Phillies’ C Craig Robinson, who came to the plate 148 times in 1973 and went .226-0-7 with zero walks (25 strikeouts).

A Brief Diversion … How The Game Has Changed

Reggie Jackson struck out more than 100 times in a record 18 (out of his 21) MLB seasons, leading the league in strikeouts five times). Babe Ruth also led the league in strikeouts five times, but did not strikeout 100 times in any 22 seasons.

Back to Johnny Sain.

In his first three seasons back from the Navy, Sain was a two-time All Star and three-time 20-game winner (29-14, 2.31 in 1946; 21-12, 3.52 in 1947; and 24-15 in 1948). In 1948, he led the NL in wins, starts and complete games.

Things went a bit south in 1949 for Sain, as he developed a sore shoulder (perhaps from overwork the previous three season, or a screwball he experimented with, or both).  He ended the season at 10-17, 4.81. Although he rebounded to 20-13, 3.94 in 1950, things still did not seem quite right  and, after starting 1951 at 5-13, 4.21, Sain was traded to the Yankees in late August  (for Lew Burdette, who would beat the Yankees three times in the 1975 World Series). Sain went 2-1, for the Bronx Bombers in 1951 (seven games/four starts).

Sain pitched for the Yankees from September 1951 through mid-May 1955 (traded to the Athletics during his final MLB season). To give you some idea of how his role changed in New York (perhaps recognizing a tender shoulder): Eighty percent of Sain’s 257 appearances with the Braves were starts, while 75 percent of his 155 appearances with the Yankees were in relief. Notably, Sain adapted well. In 1954, he went 6-6, 3.16 for New York, appearing in 45 games (all in relief) and leading the AL in games finished (39) and saves (awarded retroactively) with 26.

In 11 MLB seasons, Sain went 138-116, 3.49, with 53 saves (412 appearances, 245 starts). He was a three-time All Star and led the league once in wins and once in saves.

Primary Resources: Stathead.com; Johnny Sain Society for American Baseball Research Bio, by Jan Finkel.

Baseball Roundtable – Blogging Baseball Since 2012.

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P 1172

In the recent (June 1), Baseball Roundtable May Wrap Up post, the last round of edits was not incorporated.  This has not happened before, so I am quite sure it’s operator error. (Like I, perhaps, didn’t hit “Update” after the edits.) This led to some errors (mosly typos) like Chase Burns being “Chase Burns” in a chart, but “Chris Burns”  in the text later, or Hayden Senger being referred as both “Senger” and “Singer. ”   Most notably, the entire “Individual Stat Leaders for May” section was omitted. The corrections have been made and I send out thanks to the reader(s) were clued me in on the issues.

Mea Culpa. BaseballRoundtable.com

It’s time again for Baseball Roundtable’s Trivia(l) Tidbit Tuesday. I hope you are enjoying this weekly presentation of baseball occurrences that for some reason caught The Roundtable’s eye.  (I’m particularly fond of unexpected performances and statistical coincidences.) These won’t necessarily be momentous occurrences, just events, statistics or coincidences that grabbed my attention. I’m also drawn to baseball “unicorns,” one-of-a-kind MLB accomplishments or statistics.  (Disclaimer: Game-by-game stats from 1920-48 Negro League games have not been fully incorporated into MLB records.)

This week’s Tidbit was prompted by the fact that on this date (June 2) in 2002, Phillies righthander Robert Person started on the mound (in Philadelphia) against the Expos. Although he gave up three hits and four walks (five strikeouts) in five innings, he surrendered only one run and picked up the win. It’s what he did at the plate, however, that got The Roundtable’s attention.

In the bottom of the first inning, with the Phillies already up 3-0, he rapped a 0-1 pitch from Montreal starter Britt Reames for a Grand Slam home run.   In the third inning, he drew a five-pitch walk (Bruce Chen now on the mound) and later scored on a Bobby Abreu double. In the fifth frame (Masato Yoshii on the bump), Person battled through a six-pitch at bat and slammed a three-run homer to left.  He was relieved from pitching (and hitting) duties in the top of the sixth with the Phillies up 17-1.

In five innings, Person had gone two-for-two (two homers) with a walk in three plate appearances, scoring three runs and driving in seven. Not a bad day for a moundsman. (Person, by the way, hit .117-4-16 over nine MLB seasons … 251 plate appearances. As a pitcher, he was 51-42, 4.64  for the Mets, Blue Jays, Phillies and Red Sox.)

Well, as usual, one thing led to another and I got to thinking about pitchers with multi-homer games. Turns out they are a bit rare (but not unicorn rare).  There have been 72 documented two-homer games by pitchers – delivered by 59 different hurlers. (No pitcher has ever had a regular-season three-homer game.) Well, 59 is (as noted earlier) not unicorn territory, do I decided to pare it down and look at pitchers with multiple two-homer games at the plate. There were nine.  Now, we were getting somewhere.

Still, I was looking a little bit rarer air. So, I made one more cut –  paring down to pitchers with multiple two-homer games in the same season. That got me to a manageable five. The pitchers with two two-homer games in a season are:

• Wes Ferrell, 1934 Red Sox;
• Don Newcombe, 1955 Dodgers;
• Jack Harshman, 1958 Orioles;
• Dick Donovan, 1962 Indians;
• Tony Cloninger, 1966 Braves; and
• Rick Wise, 1971 Phillies

Here a few Tidbits about these five moundsmen, in the order in which they piqued my interest.

Rick Wise, RHP, 1971 Phillies

Wise tops my list  because, in the first of his two 1971 two-homer games (June 23), he also pitched a no-hitter, shutting down the Reds (no hits, one walk, three strikeouts) 4-0 in Cincinnati. In the game, Wise went two-for-four, with the two long balls, two runs scored and three RBI. That gives Wise unicorn status as the only  MLB pitcher to pitch a no-hitter and hit TWO home runs in the same game. His homers came in the second inning (two-run) and eighth (solo). Accounting for three of the Orioles’ four runs.

 Wise’s second two-homer game of the season came on August 28, in a 7-3 over  the Giants in Philadelphia. Wise went two-for-three, with two homers and five RBI in that one. Those blasts came in fifth inning, a solo shot giving the Phillies a 3-2 lead and in the seventh (a Grand Slam) breaking a 3-3 tie.  Wise gave up a more mundane three runs (two earned) in the complete game (eight hits, two walks and eleven strikeouts).

Wise finished 1971 at 17-14, 2.88, with 17 complete games and four shutouts in 35 starts; and .237-6-15 at the plate.

In 18 MLB seasons (1964, 1966-82 … Phillies, Cardinals, Red Sox, Indians, Padres) as a moundsman, Wise (a two-time All Star) went 188-181, 3.69 in 506 games (455 starts), with 138 complete games and 30 shutouts.  He won 15 or more games in five seasons.  As a hitter, he went .195-15-66. He hit at least one homer in six seasons, with a high of six in 1971 (when he also saw his career high in RBI with 15).

Tony Cloninger, RHP, 1966 Braves  

Close call here. Cloninger came close to pushing Wise off the top of this list, but that no-hitter was a bright and shiny distraction.  Cloninger had two two-homer games with the Braves in 1966, and they were both laughers (Braves winning by scores of 17-1 and 17-3). In the second of those games, Cloninger made unicorn status, as both of his homers were Grand Slams – making him then (and still) the only MLB pitcher with two Grand Slams in a game. In the July 3, 1966 17-3 win over the Giants in San Francisco, Cloninger went three-for-five, with two runs scored and nine RBI (the MLB record for RBI in a game by a pitcher). In addition to the two Grand Slams, he had an RBI single.  On the mound, he went the distance, giving up three runs on seven hits (two walks, five strikeouts).

In his first two-homer game of the season (June 6), he had a less unicorn-like three-for-five with two runs scored and two RBI in a 17-1 win over the Mets (in Atlanta).

In 1966, Cloninger went 14-11, 4.12 with 11 complete games and one shutout on the mound (39 appearances/38 starts). At the plate, he was .234-5-23, with career highs in homers and RBI.

In 12 MLB seasons (1961-72 … Braves, Reds, Cardinals), Cloninger went 113-97, 4.07 on the mound, with 352 appearances (247 starts), 63 complete games and 13 shutouts. As a hitter he went .192-11-67. He had his best season as a pitcher in 1965, 24-11, 3.29 in the Braves’ last season in Milwaukee. Side note: After retirement from MLB, Cloninger went on to become and All-World Slo-pitch Softball third baseman.  For more on his career, click here.

  A Little Diversion 

The first documented regular-seasons two-homer game by a pitcher belongs to none other than Cy Young  (April 20, 1984). The most recent? You can guess it. Shohei Ohtani (June 27, 2023). Ohtani also has a three-homer game as a pitcher in the post-season (Game Four of the 2025 National League Championship Series). 

Wes Ferrell, RHP, 1934 Red Sox

Ferrell, who pitched in 15 MLB seasons (1927-41 … Indians, Red Sox, Nationals, Yankees, Dodgers, Braves) holds the all-time record for home runs in a season by a pitcher (9) and in a career by a  pitcher (37) … he also had one as a pinch hitter). He homered in ten of his fifteen seasons and, between 1931 and 1936, hit .289-34-147 over 334 games. He also holds the record for most multi-homer games as a pitcher at five. He is a unicorn.

His first two-homer game of 1934 came in a July 13 7-2 win over the Browns in Saint Louis. Ferrell went three-for-four with:  a leadoff homer in the third to give the Red Sox a 1-0 lead; a three-run homer in the fifth; was retired in the sixth; and laid down a sacrifice bunt in the eighth.  His second two-homer game of 1934 came on August 22, in a 10-inning 3-2 over the White Sox (in Boston).  Ferrell went two-for-three (a pair of solo homers) with a walk in that one. His second long ball of the game was a walk-off, game winner with two out in the tenth. In his ten frames on the mound, he gave up two runs (one earned) on seven hits (one walk, five strikeouts).

In 1934, Ferrell was 14-5, 3.63 on the mound (26 games/23 starts, 17 complete games and three shutouts) – and .284-4-17 at the plate.  For his career, he was 192-128, 4.04 on  the mound (374 appearances/323 starts, 227 complete games, 17 shutouts) – and   .280-38-208 at the plate. (Yes, you read that right 34 more complete games than victories.) He was a six-time 20+ game winner and led his league in complete games four times and innings pitched three times. As a hitter, he had four seasons of five or more homers and five seasons of 20 or more RBI.

Jack Harshman, LHP, 1958 Orioles

As you might imagine, a lot of these pitcher’s multi-homer games were blowouts. In Hartman’s case, his dingers were crucial to a pair of one-run wins for his Orioles: 6-5 over the White Sox on July 16, 1958 and 3-2 over the Nationals on September 23.

In the first game, Harshman’s first homer (solo) came with the Orioles trailing 3-0 in the third inning. His second homer, a three-run shot in the sixth gave Baltimore a 6-5 lead (the final score of the game). He was two-for-three, with a walk and pitched a complete game (five runs – three earned – on nine hits and one walk, one strikeout).

In his second two-homer game of the season, Harshman went yard in the third to cut the Senators’ lead to 2-1 and he went deep again in the fifth to tie the game at two. Frosting on the cake: In his third, and final, plate appearance, Harshman hit an RBI double in the seventh to provide the winning run (and driving in all his team’s runs in the game).  In this one, he again gave up nine hits (just two runs), but he walked none and fanned nine.

In 1958, Harshman went 12-15, 2.89 on the mound (34 appearances/29 starts, 17 complete games and three shutouts).  As a hitter, he went .195-6-14.

Over his MLB career, Harshman went 69-65, 3.50 in 217 appearances (155 starts) over eight seasons (1952, 1954-1960 … Giants, White Sox, Orioles, Red Sox, Indians). He had 61 complete games and 12 shutouts. As a hitter, he was .179-21-65. Side note: Harshman first made it to the majors as a first baseman (14 games for the Giants in 1948 & 1950).

Don Newcombe, RHP,1955 Dodgers

Newcombe gets a little extra interest with three two-homer MLB games (two in 1955), second only to Wes Ferrell’s five career-two homer games. His first 1955 two-homer game came on April 14, in a 10-8 win over the rival Giants at the Polo Grounds. Newcombe hit a solo shot in the fourth to extend the Giants lead to 4-1 and added a two-run shot in the seventh to extend the lead to 10-3. For the game, he was two-for-four, with two runs scored and three RBI. On the mound, He got the win, but was roughed up for eight runs on 12 hits and two walks (three strikeouts) in seven innings.

His second two-homer game of the season came on May 30, in an 8-3 win over the Pirates. Newcombe singled in the  first (and later scored); hit a two-run homer in the fourth to give the Dodgers a 3-2 lead; and added a solo shot in the six to extend the lead to 4-2. He grounded out in his last at bat in the eighth. On the mound, her went the distance, giving up 12 hits and two walks, but only three runs (he fanned nine).

In 1955, Newcombe went 20-5, 3.20 in 34 games (31 starts), with 17 complete games and one shutout. That season, he hit .359-7-23 (his career highs in homer and RBI).

As a pitcher “Newk” was 156-96, 3.58 over 12 seasons (1944-45 in the Negro Leagues, 1949-51 & 1954-60 … Dodgers, Reds, Indians).  He had 308 starts in 362 appearances, with 148 complete games and 24 shutouts. The four-time All Star’s  best season on the mound was 1956 (Dodgers), when he went 27-7, 3.06 and won both the Cy Young and MVP Awards. That season, he hit .234-2-16.  Newcombe hit over .300 in four seasons and finished with a stat line of .270-15-110.

Dick Donovan, RHP,  1962 Indians

Donovan’s two two-homer games came in 1962 (for the Indians). His first two-homer game came on May 18 in a 9-2 win over the Tigers (in Cleveland). Donovan hit a solo homer in the third (to tie the game at one) and a second solo homer in the fifth to extend the lead to 4-1.  He was two-for three, with just the two homers in the contest. On the mound, he went the full nine innings (five hits, two runs, one walk, three strikeouts).

His second  two-homer game of the season came on August 31 – in a 9-6 win over the Orioles in Cleveland. In that one, Donovan again had two solo homers (in four at bats this time) – one in the second, tying the game at 1-1; one in the third, giving the Indians a 2-1 lead. (Both homers were hit off future Hall of Famer Robin Roberts. Donovan went the distance, giving up six runs on ten hits (one walk, five strikeouts).

The 1962 season was Donovan’s only 20-win season (20-10, 3.59) In 34 starts, he had 16 complete games and a league-topping five shutouts. At the plate, he went .180-4-9. Donovan pitched in  15 MLB seasons (1950-52, 1954-65 … Braves, Tigers, White Sox, Senators, Indians), going 122-99, 3.67 in 345 appearances (273 starts), with 101 complete games and 25 shutouts. As a hitter, he was .163-15-64.

Primary Resource: Stathead.com

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P 1171

It’s June 1, and that means it’s time for Baseball Roundtable’s May Wrap up – a look at the stats and stories that caught The Roundtable’s attention over the past month, as well as The Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month, Trot Index and more.  Just a few of this month’s highlights that you will find in this post:

• A four-strikeout inning;
• Three bases-loaded hit-by-pitches in a single game;
• A ten-run twelfth inning and a 13-run third inning;
• A “Maddux”;
• A three-pitcher no-hitter;
• An unassisted double play by a left fielder;
• A five-run inning in which the baseball never got out of the infield; and
• More.

Read on… and on … and on for all the stats and stories. Let’s start with a look at Baseball Roundtable’s Players and Pitchers of the Month

BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE MAY 2026 PLAYERS/PITCHERS OF THE MONTH

NATIONAL LEAGUE

Player of The Month … Juan Soto, LF, Mets

A tough one here, as no one really  jumped out as the dominant force. Miami SS Otto Lopez led MLB with 37 May hits; Philadelphia DH Kyle Schwarber led MLB with 11 May home runs; LA CF Andy Pages and Reds’ LF JJ Bleday tied for the NL lead with 25 RBI; Nationals’ RF James Wood led MLB with 21 May runs scored; and San Francisco 2B Luis Arreaz led NL batters with at least 25 May at bats with a .340 average for the month.

After much deliberation, I went with Mets’ LF Juan Soto, who (while he did not lead in any of these categories) had the best all-around numbers. Soto went .281-10-21, with 20 runs scored and five steals in May.  His 21 RBI tied for fifth in the NL, his ten long balls were second, his 20 runs scored tied for third and his five steals tied for eleventh. He was one of just three NL players to both score and drive in at least 20 runs in May (the other two were CJ Abrams and Andy Pages).

Honorable Mentions: Miami SS Otto Lopez at .330-1-12 for May. with an MLB-leading 37 May hits; Reds’ LF JJ Bleday tied for the NL lead in RBI (25), with a .301-8-25 line; Phillies’ DH Kyle Schwarber with an MLB-leading 11 May homers (a .243-11-19 stat line …. but I couldn’t get my “old school” mind past his 46 strikeouts versus nine walks); Dodgers’ CF Andy Pages at .266-8-25, with 20 runs scored; Nationals’ SS CJ Abrams at .292-4-21, with 20 runs scored; and Giants’ 2B Luis Arreaz, who hit .340-2-12, with 34 hits and 18 runs scored – and struck out only three times (versus  eight walks).

 

Pitcher of the Month

Tie : Jacob Misiorowski, RHP, Brewers & Cristopher Sanchez, LHP, Phillies

The Roundtable has often admitted to being distracted by “bright and shiny things” on the ballfield.  Well, in May, two NL pitchers not only amassed some impressive stats, but also delivered something “bright and shiny.” The Phillies’ Cristopher Sanchez went the entire month (five starts) without surrendering a single run, while the Brewers Jacob Misiorowski not only led MLB in strikeouts, but had a game in which he threw a record (since pitch tracking began in 2008)  57 pitches at 100 MPH+.  Both deserve this recognition.

Cristopher Sanchez

Sanchez’ month of May saw him pitch 39 innings in five starts (averaging 7.8 frames per start) and included a six-hit, complete-game, shutout of the Pirates (six hits, no walks, 13 strikeouts) on May 16.  His final line for the month was 4-0, 0.00.  Yep, he didn’t allow a single runner to reach the plate in five starts.

Sanchez completed at least seven innings in every outing and, as noted earlier, did not surrender a single run. He was second in the NL in strikeouts with 45 (while walking just three batters); second in MLB (among players with at least 25 May  innings pitched) in WHIP (0.72); and  held hitters to a .181 average.  He ended May with an active 44 2/3 consecutive scoreless inning streak (the bright and shiny thing).

Jacob Misiorowski (The Miz)

Let’s lead off with the bright and shiny thing here. Misiorowski continued to bring the heat in historic fashion. On May 25,  he threw a record 57 pitches of 100 MPH+, reaching 102+ MPH on 22 pitches and 103+ on nine. He threw a total of 96 pitches in that outing, which meant 59.3 percent were in triple digits. In the contest, a 5-1 Brewers win over the Cubs, he gave up just two hits and one run, walking one and fanning 12.

For the month, The Miz was 5-0, with a stringy 0.23 earned run average (second only to Sanchez, above). He gave up just one run 38 1/3 innings.  He fanned an MLB-highest 57 batters, walking just six.  His WHIP of 0.52 and batting average against of .109 were the best among MLB pitchers with at least 25 May innings.

Honorable Mentions: The Dodgers’  Shohei Ohtani went 3-1, 1.08 in four May starts, fanning 27 in 25 innings (and leading off a pair of games with home runs as a DH and starting pitcher); The Reds’ Chase Burns was also in the mix at 4-0, 1.19 for May, with 33 strikeouts (versus just eight walks) in 30 1/3 innings and a 0.79 WHIP.

AMERICAN LEAGUE

Player of the Month … Nick Kurtz, 1B Athletics

A much easier decision than in the NL here. Kurtz led MLB in May RBI with 26, while hitting .333, with five home runs. In addition, he was the only AL player to record at least 20 runs scored (21) and 20 RBI in the month. His .333 average was the fourth highest among American Leaguers with at least 75 May at bats and his 34 May hits were tied for the league lead. He also tied for the AL lead in May runs scored.  His .456 on-base percentage was second in the AL to Jonathan Aranda (.464) among hitters with at least 75 May at bats and his .556 slugging percentage was sixth among that group. Kurtz got on base in 27 of his 28 May games (included was a portion of a 48-game, on-base streak that ran from April 1 through May 25). He was, in short, an on-base machine.

Honorable Mentions: Rays’ 1B Joseph Aranda hit .374 for the month, MLB’s highest average  MLB among players with at least 75 May at bats. His 34 hits tied for the AL May lead and he hit four homers, drove in 18 runs and scored 17. Yankees’ LF Cody Bellinger went .304-5-23, with 19 runs scored – and walked more times (20) than he struck out (15).

Pitcher of the Month … Cade Smith, RHP, Guardians

Guardians’ closer Cade Smith appeared in 13 games in May and saved 13 (the next best saves total for the month was nine). He put up a 1.32 ERA, 0.73 WHIP and held hitters to a .188 average. Further, he fanned 25 batters in 13 2/3 innings, while walking just one.

Honorable Mentions: Some new names here. The Astros’ Spencer Arrighetti was tough when he had to be. Despite giving up 17 walks and 16 hits in 29 innings, he went 4-1 in five starts, with a stingy 0.93 ERA (lowest in the AL among pitchers with 25 or more innings pitched). Davis Martin of the White Sox went 4-0, 2.05 in five starts and fanned 38 batters in 30 2/3 innings, while walking just six.  His 38 strikeouts were fifth in the AL. The White Sox’ Anthony Kay went 4-0, 2.05 in six starts and Red Sox’ veteran Sonny Gray went 4-0, 2.00 for a team that went 13-14.

 

 

SURPRISE PLAYER OF THE MONTH

Tie: Astros’ RHP Spencer Arrighetti and Guardians’ 2B Travis Bazzana

This month’s Surprise Players are two who have shown potential, but delivered on their potential to a surprising degree in May.  (Side note: I still kind of wish Bazzana was in the lineup for the Savannah Bananas.)

Spencer Arrighetti

Arrighetti was a sixth-round draft pick in 2021 (out of the University of Louisiana).  In three college seasons (TCU, Navarro College and the University of Louisiana),  he went 11-8, 4.14. In the minors from 1921-24, Arrighetti went 19-15, 4.36. An early 2024 call up to the Astros produced a 7-13, 4.53 major league stat line (29 games, 28 starts, 171 strikeouts in 145 innings). A thumb injury shortened his 2025 season (he pitched in three minor-league games and seven with the Astros, going 1-5, 5.35 for Houston). So, coming into 2026, his MLB record was 8-18, 4.69 in 36 games/35 starts.

But there had been flashes of potential.  In May of 2024, he pitched six one-run innings in a 1-0 loss to the Rays, fanning a career-high 12 in the process.  He came black six days later to fan 13 in seven innings (two runs) in a 5-4 win over the Red Sox. In fact, he reached double- digit in strikeouts four times that season.

Arrighetti started 2026 in the minors, but injuries to the Houston rotation led to his call up on April 15. And it’s been lights out since. In April, he went 3-0, 2.00 in three starts and, in May, he surprised with a 4-1, 0.93 record. Wow.

Travis Bazzana, 2B Guardians

The rookie, who made his MLB debut on April 28, was fifth in the AL in  May base hits (32), while putting up a .311-3-11 line, with 13 runs scored and eight steals.  Not a total surprise, of course, he was a first-round, first-overall  draft choice in 2024 –  out of Oregon State University (where he hit .360-45-165, with 66 steals in three seasons … 184 games). Still, in three minor-league seasons, he hit .252-14-61, with 25 steals in 135 games.  When he was called up this season (he made his MLB debut April 28), he was hitting .287-2-10, with eight steals at Triple-A. After  13 MLB games (as of May 12), he was hitting just .195. Then, from May 13 to the end of the month, he stroked at a .353-2-5 pace. Looks like he made the adjustment.

Honorable Mention: Marlins SS Otto Lopez hit .260 over his first three MLB seasons (268 games in 2021-22 & 2024-25). However, he has turned it on in 2026. He hit .322-3-12 with five steals in March/April and a surprising .330-1-12 in May – leading MLB in May base hits.  (Side note: He did hit an even .300 over eight minor-league seasons, so maybe this isn’t that much of a surprise.

 

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THE TROT INDEX … A REGULAR BASEBALL ROUNDTABLE FEATURE

Through May  31,  35.3% of the MLB season’s plate appearances ended in a trot (back to the dugout, around the bases, to first base). We’re talking about strikeouts, home runs, walks, hit by pitch and catcher’s interference – all outcomes that are, basically, devoid of action on the base paths or in the field. Here’s the breakout: strikeouts (22.0%); walks (9.2%); home runs (2.8%); HBP (1.2%); catcher’s interference (less than 1%). 

The 35.0% is up a bit from  the 34.5% through May in 2025. I’ve also looked into full-year Trot Index figures for the years I have been a fan: 34.9% in 2024; 30.3% in 2010; 29.9% in 2000; 31.7% in 1990; 23.1% in 1980; 27.0% in 1970; 25.1% in 1960; and 22.8% in 1950.

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The biggest surprise in those numbers may be the surging White Sox, who finished second in the NL in runs scored and tied for first in May home runs; while finishing in the middle of the pack in ERA and runs all0wed (eighth and seventh, respectively).  They were led on offense by 1B Munetaka Murakami (.244-8-18 for the month); SS Colson Montgomery (.235-7-15); and 3B Miguel Vargas (.250-7-19). Their pitching got a boost from Anthony Kay (4-0, 1.95) and Davis Martin (4-0, 2.05). Coming into the season, the pair had a combined MLB record of 14-23.  This year, they have  combined for 13 wins against just two losses.

On the other end of the spectrum, the Rockies continue  to struggle, with  a May ERA of 6.77 and an offense that was eleventh in the NL in May runs.

——-Team Statistical Leaders for May  2026 ———-

RUNS SCORED

National League – Nationals (149); Pirates (148); Dodgers (147)

American League – Yankees (152); White Sox (146); Orioles (130)

The fewest runs in May were scored by the Tigers (81). In the National League, it was the Padres (88).  The only other teams scoring fewer than 100 May runs were the Cardinals (92) and Royals (95).   

AVERAGE

National League – Pirates (.264); Giants (.260); Dodgers (.252)

American League – Rays (.270); Red Sox (.265); Yankees (.258)

The lowest team average for May belonged to the Padres at .200 – the Tigers were at the bottom of the AL at .204.

HOME RUNS

National League – Braves (41); Nationals (40); Phillies (39)

American League – White Sox (42); Mariners (42); Astros (39)

The fewest home runs in May were hit by the Brewers, Diamondbacks and Tigers (18).

TOTAL BASES

National League – Giants (440); Nationals (431); Pirates (407)

American League – Yankees (421); White Sox (401); Mariners (387)

The Nationals led MLB in May Slugging Percentage at .453.  The Yankees led the AL (.449)

DOUBLES

National League – Giants (68);  Nationals (61); D-backs (53)

American League – Twins (55); Yankees (53); Royals (50)

TRIPLES

National League – D-backs (7); Giants (7); Nationals (6)

American League – Rays (6); Red Sox (6); Yankees (6)

The White Sox were the only team with zero triples in May.

STOLEN BASES

National League – Marlins (32); Phillies (26); Padres (26); Nationals (25)

American League – Guardians (32); Yankees (23); Mariners (21); Red Sox (21)

The Giants stole the fewest sacks in May with seven – in just nine attempts.

Six of the top seven teams in May steals were in the NL.

WALKS DRAWN

National League – Cubs (125);  Dodgers (116); Pirates (113)

American League – Guardians (123); Yankees (122); Athletics (110)

The Rays led MLB in May on-base percentage at .348. The Pirates led the NL at .346. The Padres had MLB’s lowest May OBP at (.276).  The Astros anchored the AL at .287.

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

National League – Reds (253); Pirates (249); Cubs (234)

American League – Angels (255); Tigers (253); Orioles (252); Twins (252)

Rays’ batters fanned the fewest times in May (182). The Cardinals fanned the fewest times in the NL at 190.

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EARNED RUN AVERAGE

National League – Brewers (2.52); Dodgers (2.95); D-backs (2.98)

American League – Mariners (3.23) Red Sox (3.24); Yankees (3.31)

The Rockies had the highest May ERA at 6.77.  The Orioles had the highest ERA in the AL at 5.10. The only other team at five-plus was the Reds at 5.51.

STRIKEOUTS

National League – Mets (262) ; Brewers (261); Phillies (260)

American League – Guardians (270); Mariners (252); Red Sox (248)

The Brewers averaged an MLB-best 10.13 strikeouts per nine innings in May. The Guardians averaged an AL-best 9.35.  Eight teams averaged nine whiffs per nine or better.

FEWEST WALKS SURRENDERED

National League –   Phillies (61); Dodgers (66); D-backs (66)

American League – Rays (68); Mariners (75); Red Sox (77)

The Phillies walked an MLB-lowest 2.19 batters per nine innings in May.  The Angels walked an MLB-worst 4.81 batters per nine frames.

SAVES

National League – Nationals (12); Phillies (12): Brewers (10)

American League – Guardians (14); Rays (13); Twins (10)

The Tigers  blew the most saves in May – eleven (in 13 opportunities).

Walks+ Hits/Innings Pitched (WHIP)

National League – Dodgers (1.02); Brewers (1.06); D-backs (1.10)

American League:  Mariners (1.13); White Sox (1.16); Red Sox (1.20)

Bonus Stats:

• The Reds gave up an MLB-high 51 home runs in May. The Brewers gave up an MLB-low 12 home runs.
• Brewers’ pitchers held opponents to an MLB-low .195 average in May. The Rockies’ staff was touched for an MLB-high .311 averag

——MAY 2026 HIGHLIGHTS —- 

 

May 2 Saw The End of Two Impressive Streaks (All Good Things Must Come To An End)

Always Wanted To Be A Hit Man

On May 2, the Diamondbacks’ Ildemaro Vargas was held hitless for the first time this season – ending his season-opening hitting streak at 24 games. During his streak, Vargas hit .404 (36-for-94), with six doubles, two triples, six home runs and 21 RBI. (Side note: Vargas also hit safely in his last three games of 2025).

We visited Vargas’ history in the March/April Wrap, but here’s a recap.  A true journeyman, utility player, in his first nine MLB seasons (2017-25) Vargas: 1) played for the Diamondbacks, Nationals, Cubs, Twins and Pirates; 2) appeared in 174 games at 3B, 145 at 2B, 48 at SS, 29 in LF, five on the mound and two in RF – plus 104 games as a pinch-hitter, 14 as a pinch-runner and seven as a DH. In 2021 alone, he took the field for the Cubs, Pirates and Diamondbacks.

In those first nine MLB seasons, he appeared in an average of 51 MLB games per season, never reaching 100 games.  (In seven of those nine, he also spent time in the minors). Over those nine seasons, Vargas hit .249-20-145 over 458 games.  Side Note:  Vargas also has a dozen seasons in the Venezuelan Winter League on his baseball resume.  And, true to his versatile history, this season, during his 24-game opening hitting streak, he  appeared at 1B, 2B, 3B, SS,  LF and DH.

Vargas ended May with a .295-7-37 line on the season.  l(Oh, for those who like to know such things, the longest season-opening hitting streak belongs to the Tigers’ Ron LeFlore at 30 (1976).

Nothing Beat A Leisurely Walk In the Park

Also, on May 2, the Athletics’ 1B Nick Kurtz did not draw a walk – ending a streak of 20 consecutive games with a free pass (dating back to April 1) . Kurtz did  go two-for-five ion the game (an A’s 14-6 loss to the Guardians).  Kurtz’ line during the walk streak was: (17-for-69) .246-5-13, with 25 walks, 26 strikeouts and a .447 on-base percentage.

Rookie Rules

On July 25, 2025, Nick Kurtz became the first rookie and youngest player ever (22 years-135 days) to hit four home runs in an MLB game.  In the contest, a 15-3 Athletics’ win at Houston, Kurtz went six-for-six, with four home runs, a double, a single, six runs scored and eight RBI. Note: He also tied the MLB record for total bases in a game at 19 (also accomplished by the Dodgers’ Shawn Green on May 23, 2002).

Ramirez Rolls A 300

On May  2, Guardian’s 3B Jose Ramirez swiped third base in the fifth inning of a Cleveland 14-6 win over the Athletics (right after hitting a two-run double to give the Guardians a 4-3 lead). The steal was the 300^th of Ramirez’ 14-season MLB career (all with the Indians/Guardians) – and, at the time, he was also just nine homers shy of 300 … which, when he gets there, will make him just the ninth MLB player to reach 300-300. He is also now second on the Guardians’ franchise stolen base list, trailing only Kenny Lofton’s 452. (Side note: At the time of the 300^th swipe, Ramirez was 13-for-13 in steal attempts  this season.) Ramirez ended May with eight homers on the season and 293 for his career – and a league-leading 20 steals (307 for his career).

Fireworks During The Game, Not After

On May 2, the Pirates toppled the Reds 17-7 (thankfully in Pittsburgh). By the end of the fourth inning:

• the score was 15-3;
• the Pirates had collected 10 hits and 10 walks;
• every Pirate in the starting lineup had at least one RBI.

Ultimately, the Pirate plated 17 runs on 19 hits and 11 walks and, surprisingly (in today’s game) not a single home run.

In the fourth inning, after Pirates’ CF Oneil Cruz struck out to open the frame, Reds’ pitchers walked seven consecutive batters – enabling the Pirates to plate five runs in the inning, without single base hit. In fact, without a ball leaving the infield (the seven walks were followed by two groundouts).  The Pirates were just the third team to issue seven consecutive walks in an inning (August 25, 1909, White Sox & May 25, 1983 Braves).

Ouch! But Worth It!

On May 6, Angels’ DH Jorge Soler had an unusual day at the plate in the Angels’ 8-4 victory over the White Sox in Anaheim. Soler’s perfect day “at bat” consisted of a single, two walks and a hit-by-pitch in four plate appearances. It was the HBP that grabbed The Roundtable’s attention.   It was one of three HBP in the game and they all came with the bases loaded. (Elias Sports Bureau reported it was the first time in at least 70 years that an MLB game featured three bases-loaded plunkings).

Soler’s HBP was the first of the game.   It came in the fourth inning The Angels were up 5-1, there were two outs,  and the Halos had loaded the bases on a single and two walks off starter Noah Schultz. Osvaldo Bido came on in relief of Schultz and plunked Soler on a 1-1 pitch, forcing in a run and leaving the sacks full.  On the very next pitch, Bido hit Angels’  RF Jo Adell forcing in another run.  Then Osvaldo Bido retired 3B Oswald Peraza (a battle of the Ozzies) on an 0-1 grounder to first.

The score stayed at 7-1 until the seventh inning, when the Angels loaded the bases on a single and a pair of walks (sandwiched around a flyout and a bunt ground out) off Brent Suter. Drew Pomeranz came on in relief (and like the White Sox’ Bido before him) proceeded (on a 1-2 pitch)  to hit the first batter he faced (LF Sam Antonacci) forcing in a run. He then struck out slugging 1B Munetaka Murakami to end the frame.

Mason Miller Brings It

Let’s face it, Padres’ reliever Mason Miller has some nasty “stuff.”  At the end of May, he led the NL  with 17 saves, had a 0.72 ERA and had fanned 49 batters in 25 innings. One of the highlights of his month came in a nerve-wracking frame on May 9, when he became the first pitcher to fan four batters in an inning in 2026. (It’s not that rare an event, Baseball-Almanac.com lists 108 instances in which a pitcher fanned four batters in an inning – but Miller made it especially interesting by loading the bases in the process.)  It happened in the ninth inning of a Padres’ 4-2 win over the Cardinals in St. Louis. Miller was brought in to start the inning and protect the two-run lead.  It when like this:

• Number-five hitter 3B Nolan Gorman – Five-pitch walk;
• SS Masyn Winn – Strike out on a 3-2 pitch;
• CF Nathan Church – Five-pitch walk;
• LF Thomas Saggese – Strike out on three pitches;
• C Yohei Pozo – Fans on an 0-2 wild pitch, reaches first base, Church goes to second, Gorman to third;
• 2B JJ Wetherholt – Fans on a 1-2 pitch.

I do love coincidences and, coincidentally, the last Padres’ pitcher to fan four batters in an inning was in the dugout –  current Padres manager Craig Stammen (in 2021).

A Maddux … It Can Still Happen

Okay, given today’s game, pitching a “Maddux” – a complete game shutout of 100 or fewer pitches – is a rarity. On  May 12, in a Twins 3-0 win over the Marlins – Minnesota’s’ Bailey Ober did just that. Ober needed just 89 pitches to shut down and shut out the Marlins over nine innings (two hits, no walks, seven strikeouts).  For more on Ober’s Maddux and Madduxes in general, click here.

MLB Debut … A Walk In The Park, And Then Some

On May 12, Mets’ 21-year-old CF A.J. Ewing made his MLB debut in New York (versus the Tigers), batting in the eight-hole.  His first game in the majors went like this:

• Second Inning – Battled for a seven-pitch walk;
• Fourth Inning – Fly out;
• Sixth Inning – Six-pitch walk, stolen base, later scored;
• Seventh Inning – RBI triple, later scored;
• Eighth Inning – RBI single.

Why a highlight?  In the spirit of #InBaseballWeCountEverything, Anthony DiComo reported – in  an MLB.com article – that Ewing is the only player in the Modern Era to record three walks, a triple, a stolen base and multiple RBI in his MLB debut. Ewing had hit .339-2-11, with 17 steals in 30 2026 minor-league games (AA & AAA) before his call up. In four minor-league seasons, he hit .290-15-118, with 101 steals in 251 games. (He was  drafted, right out of high school, in the fourth round of the 2023 MLB Draft). At the end of May, his MLB line was .238-1-6.

Seeing Double Is Lucky On The 13th

On May 13, Rockies’ LF Jake McCarthy completed one of those “you-never-know-what-you’ll- see-at-a-ballgame” plays. In the bottom of the first frame of a Rockies’ 10-4 win over the Pirates, the leftfielder turned an unassisted double play.  Ikea would have been proud of his “put-it-together-yourself” initiative.

It started with Pirates’ leadoff hitter and CF Oneil Cruz on second with one out and  Pittsburgh LF Bryan Reynolds at the plate.  Reynolds lined a first-pitch changeup from Jose Quintana to shallow left-center, which spurred a lot of movement. McCarthy was coming in fast toward the infield to make the catch, Cruz was running toward third on the pitch. As McCarthy made the catch, he saw Cruz would have no chance to beat him to second base, so McCarthy “cruised” into the infield and stepped on the keystone bag for the force out and seven-unassisted twin killing.

Finally, The Light At The End Of The Tunnel Game

On May 15th, the Diamondbacks’ 37-year-old righty Merrill Kelly drew the unenviable assignment of starting against the Rockies in hitter-friendly Coors Field. Not only that, hitters in general had not been kind to Kelly in this, his  MLB season.  His 2026 record going into the game was 2-3, 7.62. At this point, he had made 177 MLB starts (over 7+ MLB seasons) without recording a complete game. The stars did not seem aligned in his favor.

Kelly, however,  came through with a nine-inning gem.  A complete game, four-hit, 9-1 win. Per Elias Sport Bureau, this made Kelly the second-oldest pitcher to twirl his first MLB complete game.

For those who like to know such things, the oldest was the Senators’ Connie Marrero, who threw his first complete game (May 21, 1950) at age 39. Curveballer Marrero, notably was in his first MLB season (he had been a star in Cuba) and was making just his second MLB start when he went the distance in a 6-2 win over the Tigers. Marrero pitched in five MLB seasons, going 39-40, 3.67 with 51 complete games in 94 starts (118 total appearances).

Shutouts, Always A Highlight These Days

On May 16, Phillies southpaw Cristopher Sanchez picked up his fifth win of the season (5-2, 1.82), as the Phils topped the Pirates 6-0 in Pittsburgh.  It makes the highlights because it was also his first complete game of the season – and a shutout.  (At the end of May, there were only four complete-game shutouts in MLB this season).  Sanchez gave up six hits, while walking none and fanning 13.

Ghost Runner.  We Don’t Need No Stinkin’ Ghost Runner, (For Blazing Saddles fans.)

On May 18, the Mets and Nationals went into the twelfth-inning (in Washington D.C.) tied at 6-6. The Mets, of course, started the top of the twelfth with a runner placed at second base. That proved to be an unnecessary move, as the Mets went on to score ten runs in the inning  (on their way to a 16-7 win).   It all started innocently enough, with Mets’  LF Tyrone Taylor “placed” at second base and C Hayden Senger sacrificing him to third.  What followed was: single; single; intentional walk; bunt single; single; single; pitching change (names withheld to protect the innocent); single; flyout; single; double; double; foul out. Note: Nine Mets, players scored in the frame.

For those who like to know such things:  The most runs scored in an extra-frame is 12, by the Texas Rangers in the 15^th-inning of a July 3, 1983 win over the Athletics (in Oakland).  In that one (there, of course, was no placed runner to start the frame), the Rangers collected  five singles, three doubles and two walks (and were aided by an Athletics’ error and wild pitch). As in the Mets’ recent ten-run twelfth, those runs scored without the benefit of a home run.

Ouch! What A Turn Around

On May 18, Athletic righthander J.T. Ginn, making his 30^th MLB start (42^nd appearance) was rolling along – seemingly headed for his first complete game, first shutout – AND a no-hitter. Going into the bottom of the ninth, he held a 1-0  lead over the hometown Angels.  He had thrown 99 pitchers (62 strikes) and had allowed just two base runners (walk, hit by pitch).  Ginn had fanned ten and gone to a three-ball count on only two batters.  Wow!

In the ninth inning, things went south.  Angel’s second baseman Adam Frazier (batting in the nine-hole) singled on an 0-2 pitch leading off the inning and was replaced by pinch runner Jose Siri (no relation to Apple’s Seri).  SS Zach Neto was up next and hit an 2-0 pitch beyond the centerfield wall for a 2-0 walk-off Angels’ win. So, for Ginn – a complete game, but no no-no and a loss.

Gotta Love Those Baseball Nicknames

On May 19, Jhostynxon  Garcia, acquired by the Pirates (from the Red Sox) in a December trade, made his Pirates debut, starting in RF and batting sixth as the Buccos took on the Cardinals in St. Louis.  (Garcia , a top-100 prospect, went one-for-seven in an August 2025 call up – five games – with the Red Sox).

Garcia makes the highlights because of his nickname “Password” – based on how his first name mirrors those computer-generated random passwords. Takes me back to the Blue Jays’ Marc Rzepczynski, whose last name earned him the nickname “Scrabble.”  It also gives me a chance to direct you – click here – to a past Roundtable post detailing my All- Nickname(best and worst) MLB teams.

Grand Slam … But You have To Run For it

On May 19, as the Nationals topped the Mets 9-6, Nationals’ RF and leadoff hitter James Wood gave the hometown crowd a thrill with a second-inning Grand Slam (his first career MLB GS).  Neither Wood nor the crowd, however, get to savor a trot around the bases.  Wood toured the “three bags and a plate” in just 15.2 seconds.  Yep, that first Grand Slam was an inside-the-parker. It came on the first pitch (a sweeper) of Wood’s second at bat of the game (he had a single in the first inning) against Mets’ starter Noah McLean (the Nat’s trailed 4-0 at the time). Woods hit the ball to deep left center, with Mets’ LF Nick Morabito and CF Tyrone Taylor  intent on running  it down.  The ball bounced off Morabito’s glove and rolled into center, and he slammed into the LF wall and fell to the warning track. Long story short, as Morabito tracked the ball down, Wood toured the bases in those 15.2 seconds and slid head first into home, with his first (well-earned) MLB Grand Slam.

A Shohei Highlight … And, then, A Repeat

On May 20, Shohei Ohtani once again showed why he is “The Show.”  Batting leadoff (DH) and pitching that night, he opened the game in San Diego by belting the first pitch (a four-seam fastball) from Padres’ starter Randy Vazquez, who came into the game 5-1, 2.58 on the season) for his eighth home run and 26^th RBI of 2026. He then went on to pitch five innings of no-run, three-hit ball, earning his fourth win and lowering  his season earned run average to 0.73.  The Dodgers prevailed 4-0. In the spirit of  #InBaseballWeCountEverything, it was the seventh time Ohtani had recorded a scoreless start and gone yard in the same MLB game, setting a new Modern Era record for that combination. (He had been tied with Bob Gibson at six.)  In same vein, even more of a unicorn – per an MLB.com article by Sonja Chen – it was the first regular-season, game-opening leadoff home run by a pitcher in MLB  history.

On May 27, apparently to show that May 20 leadoff home run as a starting pitcher was a no fluke, Ohtani did it again – this time in Colorado.   He opened the top of the first by striking out Rockies’ leadoff hitter, CF Jake McCarthy, as part of a 1-2-3 inning. Then, leading off for the Dodgers in the bottom of the first, he homered to CF on a 1-1 pitch from Tomoyuki Sugano.   It was Ohtani’s ninth homer of the 2026 season. Ohtani did pretty well on the mound, too, picking up his fifth victory (one loss) with six innings of no-hit ball (four walks, seven strikeouts).

There has been one post-season instance of a pitcher going deep while leading off a game for his team.  Whose name goes on that one? You guessed it. Leading off the bottom of the first in Game Four of 2025’s National League Championship Series, Ohtani smacked a 3-2 pitch from the Brewers’ Jose Quintana for a homer to deep right. And, to add a cherry to the top of that sundae: Ohtani went three-for-three, with three homers in the 5-3 Dodgers’ win – and also pitched six shutout innings. Sho-time indeed.

Feel Good Story Of The Month

How can you not love this game?  Bryan Torres surely does. On May 23, Torres made his MLB debut with the Cardinals … in his 11th pro season and 914th game as a professional ballplayer. Torres, signed out of Puerto Rico, started his professional career in 2015 (as a 17-year-old) with the Brewers-affiliated squad in the Dominican Summer league.  His journey to the majors included time in three different farm systems (Brewers, Cardinals and Giants), the Puerto Rican and Dominican Winter Leagues,  as well as in the independent American Association.  He donned the uniforms of the Pioneer League Helena Brewers and Rocky Mountain Vibes;  Arizona League Brewers; Puerto Rican Winter League Gigantes de Carolina and Criollos de Caguas; Northern League Richmond Flying Squirrels; American Association Milwaukee Milkmen; the Puerto Rican team in the Caribbean Series; Texas League Springfield Cardinals; International League Memphis Red Birds; Dominican Winter League Toro del Este; and the Puerto Rican team in the  World Baseball Classic.

When he was called up to the Redbirds, he was hitting .336-2-16 after 36 games at Triple-A Memphis.

Torres not only made his debut that day, he played in two games  … a split doubleheader against the Reds in Cincinnati. And, it proved an MLB debut day worth the wait.  In Game One, seven proved a lucky number for Torres.  He started in LF (seven on your scorecard), batting seventh. He got his first plate appearance in the third inning and worked a six-pitch walk (first MLB walk, first MLB time on base). In the fourth  inning,  he logged his first MLB at bat and collected his first MLB hit (a single to right) and later scored his first MLB run as Ivan Herrera hit into a ground ball double play.  More firsts were yet to come. After grounding out in the sixth and flying  out in the seventh, Torres collected his first MLB home run and first MLB RBIs in the ninth (a two-run shot.) Not a bad first MLB game: two-for-four, one run scored, two RBI, a home run – and his Cardinals won 8-1. Oh, and it was another first – his first MLB day game.

About three-and-a half hours later, another first for Torres … his first MLB night game. He got another  start in LF, batting seventh. In this one, he went one-for-four with a walk (and his first MLB strikeout). The Cardinals lost that one 7-6. Torres closed out May with  a  .273-1-3 line.

On May 23 … A Bit Of Rare Air

Royals’ righty Stephen Kolek pitched his second career MLB complete game (in 23 starts/65 appearances over three seasons). It was also his second MLB shutout. Kolek gave up just four hits and one walk and fanned only two batters (that is also a bit rare for a complete game these days) in the 5-0 win over the Mariners.  The outing ran Kolek’s 2026 record to 3-0, 2.77 in four starts.

Kolek’s gem was  one of seven MLB complete games and four single-pitcher shutouts so far this  season.  (In 2025, there were a total of 13 complete-game shutouts and Kolek tied for the MLB lead with one.)  By comparison, in 1968, the Cardinal’s Bob Gibson had 13 shutouts on his own, MLB saw 20 players toss five or more shutouts and 99 pitchers tossed at least one shutout. Even in 1969 – after MLB shrank the strike zone in response to “The Year of the Pitcher” (1968),  it took nine shutouts to lead MLB (Denny McLain),  eight pitchers fashioned at least five whitewashings and 105 pitchers threw at least one shutout. Oh, how times have changed.

Run, Corbin Run

On May 24, as the Diamondbacks topped the Rockies 9-1 in Arizona, D-backs’ RF Corbin Carroll had a good day – four-for-four, with a run scored, two RBI and two triples. It was his fifth multiple-triple game in four-plus MLB season.  Note: In his first three full MLB seasons (2023-25), Carroll has led the  NL in triples (with 10, 14 and 17, respectively) – and he currently leads the league with eight 2026 three-baggers. Notably, Corbin tied for the MLB lead in triples in 2024 and stood alone atop MLB in 2025. If Carroll leads MLB in triples again this year, he would be the first player to lead MLB in three-baggers in three consecutive seasons and also the first player to lead the NL in triples in four consecutive seasons (like Carroll, the Cardinals’ Garry Templeton led the NL in triples three straight seasons … 1977-79).   Note: The White Sox’ Lance Johnson holds the MLB record for the most consecutive seasons leading his league (as opposed to MLB overall) in triples at four (1991-94).  Sam Crawford holds the record for leading his league in triples over a career at six (over 19 seasons), as well as the MLB career record for triples at 309. Ty Cobb has the record for the most career multi-triple games at 17 (over 24 seasons). Carroll has some targets (near- and long-term) to shoot for.

A No-No … And Santa Delivers

On May 25, Astros’ 23-year-old righty Alimber Santa made his MLB debut in what would normally be a no-stress situation. After all, his Astros were up 9-0 as Santa took the mound to open the eighth.  There was a catch, however, the Astros’ Tatsuya Imai (six innings) and Steven Okert (one inning) had combined to hold the Rangers hitless through seven (five walks, three strikeouts). So, Santa was asked to deliver not only a hold, but also to preserve a shutout and a no-hitter. He was up to the task, pitching two 1-2-3 innings (three groundouts, two lineouts, one strikeout) to complete the first no-hitter of 2026. Coincidently, the last no hitter (before May 25) came on September 3, 2024 and like this on , it was a three-pitcher no-no, started by a Japanese-born pitcher (Shota Imanaga).

For those who like to know such things:  Of MLB’s 327 recorded no-hitters (regular and post-season, per MLB.com and Baseball-Almanac.com, only 22 were combined no-hitters – and 14 of those have occurred post-2000 (since 2003 to be exact).

The Miz

Jacob Misiorowski (The Miz) just keeps bringing the heat (and making these highlights).  On May 25, in his start against the Cardinals, the Brewers’ 243-year-old righthander fanned 12 batters over seven innings – giving up just two hits, one walk and one run – in a 5-1 Brewers’ win.  AND, he threw 57 of his 96 pitches at 100 mph+. That’s the most triple-digit pitches in a game since pitch tracking began in 2008. In the process, he also became the first MLB pitcher to reach 100 strikeouts this season (doing it in 64 innings).

Kurtz Got It On (a lot)!

May 26 was a red-letter day for A’s 1B Nick Kurtz. Red, of course, signals “stop” and May 26 marked the day Mariners’ pitchers stopped Kurtz’ remarkable 48-game streak of getting on base. As the Athletics lost to the Mariners 4-1,  Kurtz went zero-for-four with three strikeouts. It was the first time opponents kept him off the base paths for an entire game since March 31.  In the 48-game on-base streak, Kurtz went  53-for-172 (.304), with eight homers and 37 RBI.  He also drew 48 walks over the 48 games (.464 on-base percentage) and, within the on-base streak, he had a 20-game streak in which he drew at least one walk in every game (April 19 through  May 1).

For those who like to know such things, the record for the most consecutive MLB games reaching base is held by Ted Williams (84 games … July 1 through September 27, 1949).    Williams went 112-for-302 in his streak (.371), with 24 home runs and 80 RBI (as well as 92 walks for a .518 OBP). The record for consecutive games with a walk is 22 (Ray Cullenbine, Tigers … walks were first tracked in the AL in 1913 and the NL in 1910).

Recovering From An Unfortunate Start
White Sox’ 25-year-old righty David Sandlin made his MLB debut against the Twins on  May 27 (in Chicago). He had a bit of a rough start, giving up a home run to Twins’  leadoff hitter Byron Buxton on just his second MLB pitch (the first was a ball). He settled in nicely after that, retiring the next 18 batters he faced (before being relieved to open the seventh). He got the win and gave up just the one hit and run, while fanning four and walking none.  Sandlin was an 11^th round pick in the 2022 Draft (out of the University of Oklahoma.)

A Diversion

Bob Gibson and Bert Blyleven both gave up a home run to the first MLB batters they ever faced. (The only two Hall of Famers to do do.)

 They Call Them The Streaks

This season, the Cubs have already run off two 10-game winning streaks (April 14—24 & April 28-May 8), as well as a ten-game losing streak (May 16-May 26). #InBaseballWeCountEverything:  The Elias Sports Bureau reported that the 2017 Dodgers are the only other team in AL/NL history to have two double-digit winning streaks and a double-digit losing streak in the same season.

The Cubs also had a streak of 15 consecutive wins at Wrigley Field. The home winning streak began on April 17 and ended  with a Wrigley Field loss to the Brewers on May 18. Notably, the Cubs closed out May with a still active six-game home losing streak.

The Gate To Home Plate Is Locked

On May 27, Phillies’ southpaw Cristopher Sanchez (Don’t look it up, it’s Cristopher without an H) picked up his sixth win of the season (6-2, 1.47) – and in doing so supplanted one of the most well-known names in Phillies’ and MLB history. Sanchez threw seven scoreless innings (six hits, no walks, nine strikeouts) as the Phils topped the Padres 3-0 in San Diego.  Why a highlight?  The last time Sanchez gave up a run was in the first inning of a game on April 30. Since then, he has crafted 44 2/3 consecutive scoreless innings, now the longest (and still active) scoreless streak in Phillies’ history. Who did Sanchez supplant in the Phillies’ record book? The 41-inning streak tossed by Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander in his 1911 rookie season. Sanchez now holds MLB’s seventh-longest (Live Ball Era) scoreless streak.  The ultimate target?  Orel Hershiser’s 59 consecutive scoreless frames in 1988.

The New M&M Boys

During the month of May the White Sox bashed an MLB-leading 42 home runs, with 1B Munetaka Murakami (8), SS Colson Montgomery (7) and 3B Miguel Vargas (7) leading the way. Notably Murakami and Montgomery  homed in the same game twice during the month, bring the total games in which they both homered to eight on the season.  That put them on a pace to homer together in in 22 games this season.  For a point of reference, in 1961, the Bronx Bombers M&M boys (Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle) set the record for players homering in the same game at 14.

Side note: Murakami suffered a hamstring injury on May 29. He is expected to miss four-to-six weeks, so the new M&M boys  may see their chances of topping the 1961 M&M boys’ record slip away.  

The Drought Ends

It finally happened: Fifty-six games and 207 at bats into the 2026 MLB season,   Fernando Tatis, Jr. (who averaged a home run every 4.4 games and every 17.1 at bats from his debut season of  2019 through 2025) hit his first dinger of 2026.   It came on May 30, the fifth inning of his Padres’ 9-4 loss to that Nationals.  It was a 451-foot blast toi left-center off Foster Griffin – on a 1-0 pitch after Tatis had faked a bunt on the first pitch.

It Just Keeps On Happening

Those who make their way through this monthly highlight know that The Roundtable seems to be featuring a lot of players who go deep on their Bobblehead Day/Night.  Well, it happened again.  On May 30, on a day when the White Sox were holding a “Shared Bobblehead Giveaway” featuring catchers Edgar Quero and Kyle Teel (and Quero’s wife Maria was tossing out the first pitch), Quero (catcher, not wife) hit a solo homer in the seventh inning of a 7-1 win over the Tigers. It was just his second homer of the 2026 season.

(Number) One For Two

On May 30, the Mets’ battery of P Christian Scott and C Hayden Senger  notched a pair of firsts. Scott picked up his first MLB win (tossing five innings of one run ball, fanning eight) and Senger popped his first MLB home run in the seventh inning.  It was Scott’s 16th MLB appearance (all starts) and Senger’s 39^th MLB game.  Oh, the Mets won 6-1.

Isn’t Thirteen, Just 31 Backwards?

Threes were good to the Yankees as May came to a close. In inning number three, on May 31, in a game that would eventually take three hours-and-one minute, the Yankees poured across 13 runs before the opposing A’s managed to get out number-three.  In addition, the first out wasn’t recorded until the 13^th batter in the inning came to the plate. In fact, the Yankees had put across ten runs before the first out in the inning. The Yankees sent 18 batters to the plate and collected 11 hits  – eight singles, two doubles and one triple.  The Bronx Bombers also drew four walks and – adding insult to injury –  stole four bases in the inning. DH Ben Rice was the “star” of the inning, with a two-run double and a two-run triple in two at bats.

Weirdly, it was the only inning in which the Yankees scored in the 13-8 win. In fact, it was the only inning in which they recorded a base hit. Theo DeRosa, in an MLB.com report, indicated it is the most runs an MLB team has ever scored in a game in which all their runs came in the same inning.

Ronald Acuna, Jr. Ends May En Fuego

Braves’ RF Ronald Acuna, Jr. came came into the final four games of May hitting .236, with just two home runs and 12 RBI on the season (42 games played). Then, from May 28 through May 31, in just four games, he went  six-for-thirteen, with five home runs, nine RBI, five runs scored,  seven walks and four stolen bases.

–INDIVIDUAL STAT LEADERS FOR MAY—

 

BATTING AVERAGE (at least 75 May at bats)

American League: Jonathan Aranda, Rays (.374); Sam Basallo, Orioles (.338); Nick Kurtz, A’s (.333)

National League: Luis Arraez, Giants (.340); Brandon Marsh, Phillies (.333); Otto Lopez, Marlins (.330)

The lowest May average among players with at least 75 at bats belonged to the Phillies’  Adolis Garcia at .125 (11-for-88).

HITS

American League: Jonathan Aranda, Rays (34); Nick Kurtz, A’s (34); Riley Greene, Tigers (330; Josh Jung, Rangers (33)

National League: Otto Lopez, Marlins (37); Luis Arraez, Giants (34);four with 33

The Giants’ Rafael Devers led all MLBers in May extra-base hits with 17 – 14 doubles, one triple and five home runs.  

HOME RUNS

American League: Julio Rodriguez, Mariners (10); Byron Buxton Twins (9); Jarren Duran, Red Sox (9); Christian Walker, Astros (9)

National League:  Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (11); Juan Soto, Mets (10); Andy Pages, Dodgers (8); Casey Schmiott, Giants (8); JJ Bleday, Reds (8)

The Twins’ Byron Buxton led all players with at least 75 May at bats in slugging percentage at .647. The Reds JJ Bleday led the NL at .631.

RUNS BATTED IN

American League: Nick Kurtz, Athletics (26); Pete Alonso, Orioles (23);  Cody Bellinger, Yankees (23); Ezequiel Duran, Rangers (23)

National League: Andy Pages, Dodgers (25); JJ Bleday, Reds (25); Michael Busch, Cubs (24)

RUNS SCORED

American League:  Munetaka Murakami, White Sox (21); Nick Kurtz, A’s (21); Zach Neto, Angels (21)

National League: James Wood, Nationals (22); Spencer Steer, Reds (21); four with 20.

DOUBLES

American League: Cody Bellinger, Yankees (9); five with eight

National League: Rafael Devers, Giants (14); Nolan Arenado, D-backs (9); CJ Abrams, Nationals (9); Kyle Tucker, Dodgers (8); Matt Chapman, Giants (9)

TRIPLES

American League:  Nine with two

National League: Corbin Carroll, D-backs (4);  nine with two

STOLEN BASES

American League:  Sam Antonacci, White Sox (8); Randy Arozarena, Mariners (8); Travis Bazzana, Guardians (8); Josh Naylor, Mariners (80: Jose Ramirez, Guardians (8)

National League: Oneil Cruz, Pirates (9); David Hamilton, Brewers (8); Nasim Nunez, Nationals (8); Trea Turner, Phillies (8)

The Mariners’ Josh Naylor and Nationals’ Nasim Nunez, stole the most May bases without getting caught (8).

 

BATTER’S STRIKEOUTS

American League:  Kazuma Okamoto, Blue Jays (39); Spencer Torkelson, Tigers (39); Jarren Duran, Red Sox (38)

National League: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies (426; Oneil Cruz, Pirates (43); Ian Happ, Cubs (41)

WALKS

American League:  Taylor ward, Orioles (26); Mike Trout, Angels (24); three with 21

National League: Michael Busch, Cubs (25); Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (19); Ian Happ, Cubs (18); James Wood, Nationals (19)

The Highest on-base percentage among players with at least 75 at bats was .464, by the Rays’ Jonathan Aranda. The NL leader was the Cubs’ Michael Busch at .446.

PITCHING VICTORIES

American League:  Davis Martin, White Sox (4-0); Sonny Gray, Red Sox (4-0); Anthony Kay, White Sox (4-0); Shane McClanahan, Rays (4-0); Spencer Arrighetti, Astros (4-1); Will Warren, Yankees (4-1); Bryan Woo, Mariners (4-1)

National League:  Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers (5-0); Zack Littell, Nationals (5-0); nine with four

The Tigers’ Jack Flaherty led MLB with five May losses (0-5, 6.26 in six starts. Thirteen pitchers recorded four May losses.

EARNED RUN AVERAGE (minimum 25 May innings)

American League: Spencer Arrighetti, Astros (0.93); Shane McClanahan, Rays (1.41); Cam Schlittler, Yankees (1.48)

National League: Christopher Sanchez, Phillies (0.00) ; Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers (0.23); Kyle Harrison, Brewers (0.96)

The highest ERA among pitchers with at least 25 May innings or at least four May starts was 12.46 by the Rockies Kyle Freeland (0-4, 12.46, 7.62 in five starts, 30 earned runs in 21 2/3 innings).

STRIKEOUTS

American League: Reid Detmers (46K / 34 1/3 IP); Dylan Cease, Blue Jays (43K / 30 2/3 IP); Jack Leiter, Rangers (41K / 35 IP); Bryan Woo, Mariners (41K / 35 2/3 IP)

National League: Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers (57K / 38 1/3 IP); Cristopher Sanchez, Phillies (45K / 39 IP); Braxton, Ashcroft, Pirates (42 K / 40 2/3 IP); Chris Sale, Braves (42 K / 32 IP)

INNINGS PITCHED

American League: Michael Wacha, Royals (38); Bryan Woo, Mariners (35 2/3); Kyle Bradish, Orioles (35 1/3)

National League: Braxton Ashcroft, Pirates (40 2/3) ; Ryne Nelson, D-backs (39 2/3) ; Cristopher Sanchez, Phillies (39)

WALKS + HITS/INNINGS PITCHED (at least 25 May  innings)

American League: Joe Ryan, Twins (0.77); Nathan Eovaldi, Rangers (0.79);  Shane McClanahan, Rays (0.84)

National League: Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers (0.52); Cristopher Sanchez, Phillies (0.72); Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (0.76)

Among pitches with at least 25 May innings, the Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski held batters to the lowest average at .109.

SAVES

American League:  Cade Smith, Guardians (13); Bryan Baker, Rays (10); Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox (7)

National League:  Mason Miller, Padres (7); Paul Sewald, D-backs (7); Jhoan Duran, Phillies (7)

Cade Smith of the Guardians saved the most games without a blown save in May (13).  

Bonus:

Among pitchers who faced at least 75 batters in May:

• The Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski fanned the most batters per nine innings at 13.38;
• The Phillies’ Christopher Sanchez had the best strikeouts-to-walks ratio at 15.00. (He walked three batters and fanned 45 in )

 

Four pitchers gave up double-digits in home runs in May: The Reds’ Brady Senger (11); Cubs’ Shota Imanaga (10); Cubs’ Jameson Taillon (10); Rockies’ Kyle Freeland (10).  Those four went a combined 2-15 in May.

 

Primary Resources: Stathead.com; MLB.com

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