morning news and notes for July 10
It was announced yesterday that José Ramirez, 2019’s most feared “utility player”, will participate in the 2024 Home Run Derby.
Then Jose’s team had a game to play in Detroit even though the forecast looked terrible. (It looks terrible for today’s game, too.) But the rain ended up barely being a nuisance. A large part of this game was, though. More on that later, after we talk about how the Guardians re-teed off on Kenta Maeda.
Earlier this season, Kenta gave up 7 runs in 2 innings in Cleveland. That was what I kept telling myself last night after the Guardians were blanked by Kader Somethingoranother. This ended up being highly relevant, as he was just as hittable this time around.
6 runs on 7 hits in 2.2 innings.
How does that happen? Well, it started with Angel Martinez’s 1st MLB HR. Then Josh Naylor hit one a couple batters later. 3-0 after an inning. In the 3rd, Kwan walked and Ramirez singled him home. After Josh Naylor added another hit, Andres Gimenez drove them both in to make it 6-0. And like that, Kenta was gone.
But Ben Lively allowed DET to crawl back in it, as the Guardians decided to get Gombered by Joey Wentz. 3 tiger runs made it 6-3.
After an insurance run made it 7-3, Gio Urshela did some massive crawling back, with a 3-run homer off Lively to make it 7-6.
Then Nick Sandlin the home run machine entered and allowed a game-tying home run.
7-7 it was, until the dreaded Manfred Inning. The Guardians scored 2 in the top of it, and a less dominant version of Emmanuel Clase humanly allowed a run. 2 is more than 1, though, and the Guardians escaped with a big win. (Because losing this one would have been BAD.)
Jose Ramirez batted 6 times. He collected 3 hits and 3 IBBs. AJ Hinch was Big Scared.
Around baseball
