By Juan Páez
- Aledmys Díaz is unexpectedly carrying much of the Astros’ lineup in his last 20 games. While the likes of Kyle Tucker and Jeremy Pena face slumps, the Cuban utility man is hitting .338/.395/.689, with eight home runs and six doubles, plus 12 runs batted in, 15 runs scored and seven walks. His OPS in that stretch is 1.084.
- A few hours before reaching the Major League trade deadline, three Cubans have been traded so far: Yennier Cano went from the Twins to the Orioles in the trade for closer Jorge Lopez, while Johan Oviedo and Malcom Yaniel Núñez flew from St. Louis to Pittsburgh. It will be dawn and we will see if another is added to the list in the next few hours.
- Yusniel Díaz, the new Cuban big leaguer, will wear number 93 on his back as a member of the Orioles. He will be the first player in Baltimore history to wear that number. His debut is expected in the next few days.
- José Adolis García and Yordan Álvarez are among the best in the Majors in RBIs since the All-Star break. Adolis has the third most in the American League (12), while Álvarez follows with the fourth most (11). From Cuba to the world!
- ALumberCar.com: The Padres should be the new favorites to win the World Series after this afternoon’s trade for all-star Juan Soto. Not only did they acquire Soto, but they also added first baseman Josh Bell and star closer Josh Hader. Add to that the fact that Soto and Bell will be in the same lineup as Fernando Tatís Jr. and Manny Machado. There will be hitting, for SURE.
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Top performers August 1, 2022:
- Aledmys Díaz vs Red Sox: 2 for 4, 2B (10), RBI (26), K
- Aroldis Chapman vs Mariners: 1.0 IP, H, K
- Yulieski Gurriel vs Red Sox: 1 for 4, 2B (31), R
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On this date:
Born on this day:
1989: Onelki García
Happened on this day:
1970: Tony Taylor hits the only Ultimate Grand Slam in history for a Cuban batter. An Ultimate Grand Slam is a home run with the bases loaded to give his team the victory despite being down by three runs before the hit. Taylor, wearing a Phillies uniform, defeated the Giants with the blast.
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Trivia:
Cooperstown immortal Tony Oliva holds the record of being the Cuban with the longest streak of games with at least one run batted in. Oliva drove in at least one run in 10 consecutive games between October 1, 1969 and April 19, 1970.
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Quote of the day:
“It helps if the hitter thinks you’re a little crazy.”
Nolan Ryan
