NEWSLETTER
When it rains, it pours. Just ask the Marlins. On Sunday, they watched their seven-run lead melt away, thanks to two Nick Senzel home runs (and another hot day at the dish for Jacob Young), as their losing streak moved to six. They fell to 6-23 on the season, tied for the worst record in baseball with the White Sox. (Michael: Really makes that four-game split with the Cubs even more frustrating).
Nick Senzel and Jacob Young help erase a seven-run deficit in Miami
The Marlins used a six-run first inning, including a Jazz Chisholm grand slam …
…and one more in the second to jump out to a commanding lead over the Nationals on Sunday in Miami. Miami entered the game riding a five-game losing streak and were looking to avoid their second straight sweep this week.
Two home runs by Nick Senzel and a three-hit, three-RBI day for Jacob Young helped Washington erase that early lead and lock up a sweep of the fish.
“I don’t think we blinked when we went down 7-0,” said outfielder Jacob Young. “It was just, ‘Let’s get a couple here, a couple there.’”
It was Young’s RBI double in the top of the fourth inning that got the Nationals on the board. That double extended his hitting streak to six games and was his fifth hit of the series against the Marlins this weekend. Then it was C.J. Abrams’s turn with a two-run double that scored Young and outfielder Alex Call to make it 7-3 Miami. Nick Senzel then hit his first of two home runs to score Abrams and make it 7-5.
Senzel’s next bomb came in the next inning, a three-run blast that put the Nats on top.
The @Nationals were down 7-0.
— MLB (@MLB) April 28, 2024
After Nick Senzel's 2nd homer of the game, they are now up 9-7. pic.twitter.com/ASSDR1MfQe
Senzel—who started the season on the IL after fracturing his thumb during pregame drills on Opening Day—was on fire this weekend in Miami, hitting three home runs and driving in seven runs in the two games he played. After a slow first few days back in the lineup following the thumb injury, Senzel has five home runs, nine RBI, and a 143 wRC+ since April 21.
Aaron Judge’s “block” opens floodgates for Yankees in Milwaukee
Aaron Judge’s outstretched arm while sliding into second base changed the trajectory of the ballgame on Sunday between the Yankees and Brewers. Judge’s deflection, which the umpires ruled a natural part of his slide (the play was not reviewable), gave the Yankees a runner on first with one out instead of two outs with the bases empty.
Aaron Judge with the… block? pic.twitter.com/ZkzEL5TsXg
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) April 28, 2024
New York did not take the ruling for granted and scored seven runs in what would end a 15-5 victory for the Yankees.
During the game, Brewers skipper Pat Murphy argued that Judge’s highly stretched hand should have been ruled interference. The umpires did not agree during the game. However, crew chief Andy Fletcher admitted after the game that after reviewing the video, they were wrong, and Judge’s raised hand “wasn’t a natural part of his slide.”
“We did everything we could to get together and get it right,” Fletcher said. “But after looking at it, it appears that it should’ve been called interference.”
Brewers manager Pat Murphy said after the game that Judge wanted to get hit by the ball but that the slide and the raised hand were done with the intention of obstructing the throw to first base. “I think he was trying to purposely obstruct. It’s my opinion. I don’t know what his intent was. He seems like a wonderful man, but very competitive also. So there might’ve been a chance.”
Rays release City Connect uniforms
The Tampa Bay Rays released their City Connect uniforms this morning, featuring a bold and colorful design that the team is calling their “Grit x Glow” uniforms. The look celebrates Tampa Bay’s deeply rooted counterculture scenes in skate, street art, streetwear, tattoos, and music. From the murals of downtown St. Petersburg to the streets of Ybor City, the independent, underground spirit of Tampa Bay creates a culture that is bold, bright, and vibrant.”
“There’s an energy and a vibe that makes this region unique,” said Warren Hypes, vice president of creative & brand, in a press release this morning. “The untold stories of our community are compelling, and the City Connect program gives us a chance to share them. We’re especially excited to celebrate Tampa Bay’s skate culture and shine a light on its role in history.”
Some of the logos and design features include:
MLB.TV Viewing Guide for this Week
If the NBA and NHL playoffs aren’t your thing, there’s plenty of good baseball to watch this week.
The Padres and Reds play three times this week, with their series in San Diego starting tonight. I suggest you take advantage of any time you can watch Elly De La Cruz. During Cincinnati’s seven-game homestand from April 19-25, De La Cruz hit .400/.571/.750 with a pair of home runs. He has seven home runs on the season and an MLB-best 18 steals.
The Brewers and Cubs get together for three games this weekend at Wrigley Field. It’ll be the first time Craig Counsell will manage against his former club. The Cubs are a half-game behind the Brewers for first place in the NL Central entering play today, and this weekend will be huge for both clubs.
The Orioles and Yankees start a four-game series tonight in Baltimore, pitting two AL East powers against each other. Entering play today, the Yankees lead the Orioles in the division by one game. early season matchups go, this one will be a big series for the top two contenders for the AL East crown this season.
