By Ron Kaplan, contributor
Well, that was quick: Ian Kinsler walked and scored a run on Friday as the host Boston Red Sox (79-34, first in AL East) started a four-game sweep of the NY Yankees with a 4-1 win, thanks to a one-hitter by Rick Porcello. But Kinsler ended up on the 10-day disabled list, ironic since he was acquired to replace Dustin Pedroia, who has spent most of the year on the DL. By the way, is it kosher for a Jewish player to have a hamstring problem?
Bryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers (65-50, second in NL Central): Flied out as a pinch-hitter in Friday’s 5-3 win over the visiting Colorado Rockies; 2-for-3 with his 12th home run (solo shot in the third) and an additional RBI and run scored in an 8-4 win on Saturday; and 2-for-4 with a run scored and two stolen bases in a 5-4, 11-inning loss on Sunday. The stolen bases were Braun’s first since recording career #200 on June 16.
Alex Bregman, Houston Astros (71-42, first in AL West): Was 0-for-3 in a 2-1 win over the host LA Dodgers on Friday — a rematch of last fall’s World Series participants; 0-for-4 with a run scored and a walk in a 14-0 win on Saturday; and 1-for-2 (double) with a walk in a 3-2 loss on Sunday. He also briefly entered the political fray with a tweet in support of LeBron James and critical of President Donald Trump:
Joc Pederson, LA Dodgers (62-51, tied for first in NL West with Arizona Diamondbacks): Provided the only run for his team on Friday with his 17th home run — which led off the game — for his only hit in four at-bats; did not play on Saturday; and was 0-for-3 with a run scored on Sunday.
Kevin Pillar, Toronto Blue Jays (51-60, fourth in AL East): Returned from the DL on Friday, batting in the ninth spot and going 0-for-3 with a sac fly in a 7-2 win over the host Seattle Mariners; 2-for-4 with his 28th double and 12th stolen base in a 5-1 win on Saturday; and 1-for-3 in a 6-1 loss on Sunday.
Danny Valencia, Baltimore Orioles (34-78, fifth in AL East): Did not appear in Friday’s 11-3 loss to the host Texas Rangers; was 0-for-4 in a 3-1 loss on Saturday; and was 0-for-4 again in 9-6 win on Sunday.
Robert Stock, San Diego Padres (44-70, fifth in NL West): Gave up one hit — a home run — and struck out one in two innings of work in Friday’s 5-4 loss to the host Chicago Cubs, his only appearance for the weekend.
Max Fried did not appear for the Atlanta Braves (60-49, second in NL East) in their weekend series against the host NY Mets. He is expected to start one of the games in Tuesday’s doubleheader against the Nationals.
Gabe Kapler’s Philadelphia Phillies swept the visiting Miami Marlins to improve their first place NL East record to 63-48. Yet a befuddled local columnist still wonders whether Kap is a “visionary,” a “kook,” or both.
Yesterday, the Oakland A’s designated pitcher Jeremy Bleich for assignment. Bleich, 31, appeared in two games, giving up two runs in just 1/3 of an inning. He made his debut on July 13 (Friday the 13th, of course) and gave up two runs without retiring a batter. He was better his next time out, retiring one of the two batters he faced. At least that gave him an ERA. By the way, I had been mispronouncing the name: I thought it was Blych (as in chai), but it’s really Blysh.
Ron Kaplan (@RonKaplanNJ) hosts Kaplan’s Korner, a blog about Jews and sports. He is the author of three books, including The Jewish Olympics: The History of the Maccabiah Games and Hank Greenberg in 1938: Hatred and Home Runs in the Shadow of War.
# # #
Get your Jewish Baseball News updates via e-mail
