By Juan Páez
- Yankees closer Clay Holmes’ unexpected and sudden struggles with command at the moment could return Aroldis Chapman to a full-time role as a closer sooner rather than later. Not only does Chapman have 3.0 perfect innings in his last three appearances, but Holmes gave up eight tickets and allowed seven clean runs in his last eight starts. And to think Holmes issued just five passports in his first 37 appearances (38.0 EL.) The sun will rise and we shall see!
- Aledmys Díaz, one of the Astros’ hottest hitters in recent days, received partial rest on Sunday, as he did not start the game and only came out in the ninth inning to take a turn as a pinch hitter. Team manager Dusty Baker said he wanted to rest him because of all the activity the Cuban utility player has done recently. Diaz had started eight of Houston’s last 11 games through Saturday.
- Josh Bell, the first sacker who would be Yulieski Gurriel’s replacement if the Astros acquire him before 6:00 pm (ET) on Tuesday, told The Athletic that he wouldn’t mind being traded to Houston. The reason is that he would be closer to his parents and they would help him with the care of his newborn. On the Houston side, the respected Jeff Passan assured ESPN that everything is in place for the Astros to make a big offer to the Nationals to acquire Bell. We’ll see, said a blind man.
- For those who are worried by the “slowness” and passivity of this trade market, let me tell you something: last year also saw little action in the first days of the last week before the trade deadline, but there were 36 transactions in the last two days. 36! What will happen this year? Let’s see…
- RareFeat.com: Youngster Reid Detmers, who was the 10th pick of the 2020 draft and first pick of the Angels, pitched an immaculate inning (9 pitches, 9 trikes, 3 strikeouts) on Sunday. The thing is, Detmers threw a no-hitter this year. The 23-year-old lefty is the first pitcher with an immaculate inning and a no-hitter for the same team in the same season since none other than Sandy Koufax in 1964. Crazy!
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Top performers July 31, 2022:
- Yulieski Gurriel vs Mariners: 2 for 5, 2B (30), R, SB (7)
- Yordan Álvarez vs Mariners: 1 for 5, RBI (70), 2 K
- José Abreu vs Athletics: 2 for 4, HR (12), RBI (49), R
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On this Date:
Born on this day:
2015: Enrique “Hank” Izquierdo
Dead on this day:
1973: Rolando Viera
1984: Irait Chirino e Iraklys Chirino
1988: Roenis Elías
1990: Aledmys Díaz
Happened on this day:
2005: Rafael Palmeiro becomes the best-known baseball player to be suspended for violating Major League Baseball’s policy against the use of steroids. However, Palmeiro denies having used performance enhancing drugs (PEDs).
2016: The Astros acquire a Yordan Álvarez, then a Minor League first baseman, from the Dodgers for reliever Josh Fields. The rest is history.
2019: Yasiel Puig is suspended for three games after being part of a huge brawl between the Reds and Pirates on July 30. Puig is suspended along with teammate Amir Garrett, manager David Bell and other players.
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Trivia:
José Abreu hit the 240th home run of his career on Sunday. Since his debut year (2014), he is the seventh best home run hitter in the Major Leagues. Leading the list during that period is the Dominican Nelson Cruz, with 300 bombs.
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Quote of the day:
“Whatever I do, I love to win. I don’t care if it’s tennis or ping pong, I’ll kill myself to win it.”
Andy Pettite
