By Ron Kaplan, contributor
Alex Bregman hit his ninth home run of the year. The solo blast came in the Houston Astros’ (65-33) 8-4 win on Friday over the host Baltimore Orioles (47-51). It was one of his two hits in 11 at bats (plus a walk) as the Astros took two of the three games. Richard Bleier appeared for the Birds that night and was roughed up a bit: two earned runs on six hits (including a home run, although not by Bregman) in 2.2 innings. Maybe they’re pushing him a bit to see how he might do as a starter.
Ryan Braun did not start for the Milwaukee Brewers on Friday but more than made up for his absence the next day with a 3-for-3 performance against the host Philadelphia Phillies that included his 12th double, good for two runs; his 12th homer (a two-run shot in the fifth); a single; a walk; a stolen base (#6); and four RBIs. He came out of the game in the seventh with the Milwaukee Brewers up 8-1, but the Phillies fought back, pushing over four in the seventh and three in the eighth to tie the score. The Brewers (53-48) won in their finals ups, 9-8. Braun was 1-3 on Sunday with a run-scoring double (#13) in a 6-3 loss as the Phils took two of the three matches.
Kevin Pillar joined the home run festivities, hitting #11 for the only run in yesterday’s 8-1 loss by the Toronto Blue Jays (44-54) to the host Cleveland Indians. In total, Pillar had two hits in 11 at-bats as the Jays lost all three games.
So that’s three MOTS with double-digit home runs already (including Danny Valencia) with three more (including Bregman) sitting on nine. Barring a catastrophe, that means all six “regulars” will have 10 or more, which has to be a record. I’ll do the research (unless someone else volunteers).
As for the rest of the gang…
Ian Kinsler was 4-for-13 with a double (16), two runs scored and two RBI as the Detroit Tigers (45-52) took two of three from the Minnesota Twins (49-48). Might he join Braun on the Brewers (assuming Milwaukee doesn’t trade their Jewish slugger)? Craig Breslow appeared and not very well. On Friday he gave up two hits and a run in one inning in a 6-3 loss and yesterday he walked one and gave up a hit and allowed to inherited runners to score in 2/3 of an inning in a 9-6 loss. So the Twins designated the veteran lefty for assignment.
Chicago White Sox (38-57) reliever Brad Goldberg also had a tough time of it. He gave up a home run in his only appearance, the eighth inning of a 9-2 loss to the host KC Royals on Saturday. On the positive side, he did fan Alex Gordon to end the frame, his first strikeout as a Major Leaguer.
Danny Valencia was 2-for-12 with a run, an RBI and six strikeouts as the Seattle Mariners (49-51) lost two of the final three games in their four-game set to the visiting NY Yankees.
Joc Pederson was 1-for-7 (he did not start the first game) as the LA Dodgers (68-31) took two of three after the visiting Atlanta Braves broke L.A.’s 11-game winning streak on Friday.
Scott Feldman remains on the disabled list for the Cincinnati Reds.
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