More Like Oakland L's!
What a big day for the Houston Astros yesterday afternoon. These bats were alive and the Astros have thankfully regained sole control of first place in the west. Everybody got a hit (except Reddick) and Maldonado was a single shy of the cycle, which would have been the first cycle since Luke Scott in 2006 (because I strongly believe Brandon Barnes was out at 2nd base in 2013 do not @ me).
Another big moment in yesterday's game is Justin Verlander collecting his career 200th win, and he got dunked in champagne to celebrate. Verlander, Hinch, and other key players to the game post-game interviews and recapped can be found here (you might read something about Verlander being dunked in champagne, and that's because I stole that bit because I wanted to tell you that first. Don't worry though, sources cited).
Anyways, now its time for the rapid fire Hot Links part of the program.
Rondon has not had the greatest few outings. Will Osuna become the closer anytime soon?
Josh Reddick apologized after Oakland fans took one of his quotes out of context.
Altuve was hit by a pitch in his Fresno rehab assignment. He is expected to be okay.
This is the last week for 9:10 CST first pitches. The Sun People are very excited for this, and the Night People are also kind of happy about it as well because then the Sun People don't judge us to harshly about our tweeting habits at that hour of night. Pretty much a win-win everywhere.
The Astros are now ever so close to being #onpace for 100 wins. FiveThirtyEight also gives the Astros a 97% chance of making the playoffs and a 74% to win the division.
Hinch is basically as fast as Jake at this point, in case you were wondering how that was progressing.
Julia Morales blew the lead in the mascot race. Unacceptable imo.
Felix Hernandez is back in the rotation just in time for the Houston Astros to roll into town.
Here is a piece on Ex-Astros prospect Ramon Laureano and how he's been since he went on to pursue other opportunities.
Bryce Harper AND Daniel Murphy were placed on revocable trade waivers.
I listened to the new episode of Lima Time Time while making these and it is good. You should listen to it.
Big Al was quite the hit at the Williamsport Sunday Night Baseball game.
On This Day In Baseball History
In 1921, Ty Cobb got his 3000th hit.
In 1997, Wade Boggs pitched. He threw one inning and did not allow a hit.
In 2010, the Astros traded Pedro Feliz to the Cardinals for David Carpenter. The trade was made so the Cardinals could replace injured third baseman David Freese.
In 2012, the Mets-Nationals game screeched to a halt after a praying mantis was discovered in the outfield.
