MLB 2024 | Adolis smacks a homer to tie the game; Blanco's impressive weekend streak continues; Iglesias secures his 26th save; Mederos gets the call-up to join the Angels
- Ray Otero-Alonso
- Aug 19, 2024
- 5 min read
Cuban Players News for the 2024 Major League Baseball season. A compilation of several sources
In Sunday's game, Adolis García contributed significantly to the Rangers' 6-5 victory over the Twins by hitting a two-run homer, doubling, and scoring the winning run in the 10th inning.
Adolis García had a productive performance, going 2-for-5 with a two-run home run, a double, and an extra run scored in the extra-inning win against the Twins. His homer in the seventh inning equalized the score at 4-4.
He was the designated runner in the 10th inning, yet he should be acknowledged for successfully advancing from second base to home plate following a poor throw and a forceful tag that caused the ball to elude Carlos Santana at first base.
Adolis has been on fire lately with three games where he had multiple hits, two home runs, and five RBI in his last five matches. In August, he is hitting an impressive .345 (20-for-58). His 21st homer of the season came during a five-run seventh inning that provided all the runs the Rangers needed in regulation. With this performance, his OPS has climbed back to .700, marking the first time since July 5. Overall, the outfielder has accumulated a .227/.290/.410 slash line, along with 21 home runs, 62 RBI, 61 runs, 19 doubles, and 10 stolen bases in 119 games this year.
Raisel Iglesias secures his 26th save.
On Sunday, Raisel Iglesias closed out the game for the Angels, pitching a flawless ninth inning and striking out one batter. Tasked with preserving a two-run lead, Iglesias executed his job smoothly. He started the inning by striking out Kevin Pillar and then retired the next two batters with routine groundouts. Iglesias has successfully converted 18 consecutive save opportunities since his last blown save on May 3. Moreover, he has not allowed an earned run since June 16. The 34-year-old currently boasts a 1.51 ERA, 0.65 WHIP, and a 46:8 K:BB ratio in 47.2 innings. He is also tied for sixth place in MLB with 26 saves.
Dairon Blanco had a stellar performance on Sunday against the Reds, going 2-for-3 with two runs scored and a solo home run.
Continuing his impressive streak, Blanco excelled in Sunday's game with a solo home run, a stolen base, and an additional run scored. Following his outstanding performance on Saturday, Blanco delivered yet another remarkable performance the next day. He kickstarted the game by successfully bunting his way on base in the third inning, then stealing second base and scoring the first run of the game on a Vinnie Pasquantino single. Blanco then hit a home run in his next at-bat, marking his third homer in just two games. Overall, Blanco went 5-for-8 with three home runs, eight RBIs, four runs, and a stolen base over the two games. In his previous 228 career at-bats spread across three seasons, Blanco had accumulated four home runs, 24 RBIs, 47 runs, and 46 stolen bases.
Yandy Díaz had to exit Sunday's game against the Diamondbacks due to a hit by a pitch on his arm.
Following the impact, Yandy Díaz experienced considerable discomfort and, despite initially staying in the game, he was unable to continue. Fortunately, X-rays revealed no fractures in the injured forearm of the infielder. Yandy has been diagnosed with a bruised forearm and will be evaluated on a day-to-day basis until further notice. Yandy continues to have a successful season, boasting a solid .273/.329/.396 batting line with 10 home runs. He maintains a strong 15.7% strikeout rate and an impressive 49.7% hard-hit rate.
Cionel Pérez and Yennier Cano were in action on Sunday.
The duo of Orioles' relievers appeared in the 4-2 victory against the Red Sox. Cionel Pérez took over from starter Albert Suárez and gave up Boston's first run in the eighth inning. Despite allowing a single in the seventh, he returned in the eighth but failed to record any outs, walking Triston Casas and then conceding a double to Rafael Devers. He was charged with a run, causing his ERA to rise to 4.12 for the season. Yennier Cano took over and was able to secure two outs, although he did give up a single to Ceddanne Rafaela, resulting in a 4-1 score.
Cano recorded two strikeouts before being replaced by Seranthony Domínguez following Rafaela's hit. Cano earned his 28th hold in his 57th appearance of the year, maintaining a 2.92 ERA in 49 1/3 innings with a 48:20 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Angels have brought back RHP Víctor Mederos from High-A Tri City.
Although Víctor Mederos primarily pitched for Double-A Rocket City this season, he made a recent appearance at Tri City. Struggling at both levels, the right-hander gave up six runs in High-A and holds a 6.60 ERA, 1.75 WHIP, and a 69:48 K:BB ratio over 88.2 innings in Double-A. Promotions from High-A are rare, but Mederos, who has already had a stint in the majors this season, is an exception. The 23-year-old will contribute innings out of the bullpen during his time with the Angels.
Yordan Alvarez did not play in Sunday's game against the White Sox.
Manager Joe Espada stated that Yordan Alvarez was given a day off, with Pedro León taking his place in the outfield. Yordan received a much-needed break after appearing in each of the team's previous 29 games, where he recorded a 1.026 OPS with six home runs and an 18:17 BB:K ratio. The 27-year-old has been selected for the All-Star team in the past three years and is currently enjoying another outstanding season in 2024, batting .306/.395/.552 with a .947 OPS, 25 home runs, 66 RBI, a career-best five stolen bases, and 70 runs scored in 117 games. His performance in August has been even more impressive, hitting 19-for-50 (.380) with five home runs, three doubles, and 11 RBI in 14 games. Yordan is undeniably a top-tier hitter.
Pedro León is still struggling to produce.
Despite a 2-0 win against the White Sox, Pedro León extended his streak of not getting hits, going 0-for-3 with a strikeout and his first stolen base in MLB. In his last three games, León has gone 0-for-7 with three strikeouts. Since his call-up to the Majors on July 30, he is 2-for-20 with no home runs or RBIs and has struck out 10 times.
Once again, Jorge Soler was absent from the lineup on Sunday.
For the fourth consecutive game, the Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler was not included in the lineup on Sunday afternoon. Despite being diagnosed with a mild hamstring strain on Thursday, Soler's status remains day-to-day. The powerful hitter has had a successful season, hitting 16 home runs with a .244/.339/.438 batting line. After returning to Atlanta at the trade deadline, where he was the World Series MVP in 2021, Soler is expected to share leadoff duties with Michael Harris II upon his return.
Randy Arozarena was given a break.
Seattle Mariners outfielder Randy Arozarena sat out during Sunday's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park to avoid a potential three-game sweep. Arozarena had started to improve his offensive performance early in the second half of the season after being traded to the Mariners in late July, but the 29-year-old player has encountered difficulties once again. Following his five strikeouts in Saturday's defeat, he needed the rest. Since joining Seattle on July 27, Arozarena has a batting average of .239 (16-for-67) with one home run, five doubles, five RBIs, and 25 strikeouts in 83 plate appearances across 19 games. Moreover, he has been hitless in his last four games, going 0-for-15 with 10 strikeouts. It has been a challenging year for Arozarena.
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