This week in MLB

Tom Haudricourt
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Cody Bellinger of the Los Angeles Dodgers watches his two-run home run during the first inning vs. the Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK

MLB: Dodgers 1B/OF Cody Bellinger

Bellinger wasted no time living up to the hype of being the organization’s top prospect. In his last seven games entering Saturday, Bellinger slugged five homers and drove in 13 RBI, leaving him with a .323 average, seven homers and 18 RBI.

BREWERS: CF Keon Broxton

Through 14 games, Broxton was struggling mightily with a .119 batting average. Since then, he has batted .367 with two homers, seven RBI and six stolen bases. Broxton was batting .421 over a five-game hitting streak entering Saturday. 

BREWERS THIS WEEK

The Brewers will get a first-hand look at a club earlier in its rebuilding process when they go to San Diego for four games (it seems the Padres always are rebuilding, doesn’t it?). Then, because it’s never too early (apparently) for a second trip to Wrigley Field, the Brewers return there for another series against the Cubs.

DID YOU KNOW?

The all-time leaders for home runs hit on Mother’s Day are Hall of Famers Hank Aaron and Frank Robinson, who slugged nine apiece.

YOU FIGURE IT OUT

It’s not unusual for teams in late-inning pitching binds to send a position player to the mound to wrap things up. But how often do you see a team use three position players to pitch in one game?

That scenario unfolded Wednesday night in the International League game between Class AAA opponents Durham and Columbus. The Bulls had run through their bullpen in the previous game and so outfielder Johnny Field was sent to the mound with the score tied in the 10th.

Field worked a scoreless inning but three of the first four batters reached in the 11th, so veteran catcher Michael McKenry relieved him. He pitched like a catcher, allowing seven of eight hitters to reach, including a grand slam by Giovanny Urshela.

With no end to the inning in sight, infielder Kean Wong replaced McKenry and walked the next two hitters before finally bringing the inning to a merciful close. The 10-run rally was enough to send Columbus to victory but not before Durham scored six runs in the bottom of the inning to lose, 13-9.

And Columbus used actual pitchers during that inning.

QUOTE

“To play 17 and lose, it’s a lot different feeling over in the Giants clubhouse than ours.” – Reds manager Bryan Price, after Buster Posey’s walk-off homer.