MLB 2023 | Soler shines in Friday's win, Álvarez clutch with go ahead double, Vargas on-base 4 times
- Ray Otero-Alonso
- Apr 1, 2023
- 3 min read
Major League Baseball (MLB) and other Cuban Players News for the 2023 season. A compendium from several sources
March 31
Jorge Soler went 2-for-3 with a solo homer against the Mets on Friday as the Marlins got Skip Schumaker his first win as manager.
Soler hit a 407-foot blast to right-center off David Peterson in the second inning to put the Marlins ahead early. He also made a pair of outstanding catches in right field, believe it or not. Soler’s first season with the Marlins was a big disappointment, partially due to injury, but he’s just two years removed from swatting 27 homers. His power should play in most mixed league lineups. The Marlins' rotation between the corner outfield spots and designated hitter is still in flux, so Soler could earn consistent work in the field as the season unfolds -- although it should be noted the 31-year-old was replaced by Bryan De La Cruz in the top of the ninth, so manager Skip Schumaker doesn't yet view Soler as part of his best defensive alignment.
Yordan Álvarez crushed a go-ahead three-run double in the seventh inning on Friday, leading the Astros to a 6-3 victory over the White Sox.
The Astros entered the seventh inning trailing 3-2, but they got something going with two outs as Martin Maldonado walked, Jeremy Peña singled and Alex Bregman walked to load the bases. Álvarez then unloaded them, smashing a three-run double off of Jake Diekman to give Astros control of the ballgame. Álvarez also drew a walk in the contest, finishing the night 1-for-3. He already has four RBI through his first two games of the season and is perhaps the most feared hitter in the American League with men on base.
Yuli Gurriel started against the Mets on Friday.
Veteran infielder Gurriel saw action in a starting lineup for the first time this year. He went 1-for-3 against the Mets batting seventh and playing first base. It is expected that the 38-year-old infielder will have some opportunities on the Marlins' roster, but it is up to him to capitalize on them and gain a spot on a daily basis.
Oscar Colás started in right field and batted eighth for the White Sox against Cristian Javier and the Astros on Friday evening in Houston.
The 24-year-old was stationed on the bench on Opening Day as the Astros had left-hander Framber Valdez on the hill -- but he still came off the bench with a pinch-hit single. On Friday, Colás batted eighth and went hitless (0-for-3) with a strikeout and leaving two runners on.
Diamondbacks' Lourdes Gurriel: Moves to DH. Gurriel served as the designated hitter and went 1-for-4 in Friday's 2-1 win over the Dodgers. Gurriel has played both games thus far, as the left fielder Thursday against a lefty and the DH on Friday against a righty. Early signs indicate manager Torey Lovullo may hold back on center fielder Alex Thomas against lefties, which means Gurriel could play a near-everyday role.
Dodgers' Miguel Vargas: Reaches base four times Friday. Vargas went 1-for-1 with a double and three walks in a loss to Arizona on Friday. Vargas nearly hit his first home run of the season in the second inning, but the ball bounced off the wall, and he ended up with a double. The rookie set the table by walking in each of his three subsequent plate appearances, but the batters below him in the order couldn't cash him in. Vargas has displayed an astute eye at the plate through two games, walking five times over eight plate appearances.
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