By Scott Barancik, Editor
Here are your MLB highlights for the week of August 31-September 7, 2020:
Mazel tov
- The Orioles threw rookie P Dean Kremer into the deep end for his Major League debut on Sunday (September 6), making him start against the Yankees on less than 24 hours’ notice. Kremer delivered a dominant performance, starting off by striking out the first two batters he faced and retiring nine New York batters on a total of 20 pitches across the third, fourth and fifth innings. By the time he’d completed his one-hit, six-inning start, Kremer — whose parents are natives of Israel — had allowed just one earned run and struck out 7 (see video). Baltimore went on to win 5-1. “He just attacked the strike zone and stuck to his strength,” Orioles catcher Bryan Holaday said. “You wouldn’t have been able to tell it was his first time out there.” Kremer conducted part of his post-game interview in Hebrew.
Stats to share
- Max Fried led the Braves to a win over the Red Sox on August 31, but he wasn’t the only Jewish pitcher on the mound at Fenway Park that day. Robert Stock pitched a scoreless inning of relief for Boston.
- When the Red Sox traded OF Kevin Pillar to Colorado on August 31, he became only the fifth Jewish player in Rockies history, and the first since 2009. The others are P Jason Marquis (2009), P Jason Hirsh (2007-08), OF Gabe Kapler (2002-03), and P Mike Saipe (1998).
At the plate
- 1B Rowdy Tellez (Blue Jays) had hits in 6 of 7 games last week, leading to an overall .500 batting average (12-for-24) with 2 HRs, a double, 3 RBIs, a hit-by-pitch, a .552 on-base percentage, and only one strikeout. He leads all Jewish batters with 8 HRs, 21 RBIs, and a .295 batting average.
- OF Ryan Braun (Brewers) hit .429 (3-for-7) with a triple, RBI, and .429 OBP.
- OF Kevin Pillar hit .263 (5-for-19) with the second grand-slam home run of his career (see video), a triple, 6 RBIs, stolen base, and a .333 OBP in his first week with the Rockies.
- OF Joc Pederson (Dodgers) hit .077 (1-for-13) with a home run and a .143 OBP.
- C Garrett Stubbs (Astros) hit .000 (0-for-2).
- 3B Alex Bregman (Astros) remained on the disabled list with an injured right hamstring.
On the mound
- Dean Kremer (Orioles) won his Major League debut on September 6 (see above).
- Richard Bleier (Marlins) went 0-0 with a hold and an 0.00 ERA across 4 appearances last week, yielding 3 hits and no walks over 4.1 combined innings while striking out 2 and holding opposing batters to a .231 OBP. The strong week trimmed Bleier’s ERA with Florida from 5.79 to 3.38.
- Max Fried (Braves) improved his record to 6-0 on August 31, giving Atlanta a perfect 8 wins in Fried’s first 8 starts this season. But the Braves suffered their first loss under Fried on September 5; he did not get the decision.
- Robert Stock (Red Sox) went 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA across 4 appearances, yielding 2 earned runs on 5 hits and 3 walks over 3.1 combined innings while striking out 4. He was optioned to Boston’s alternate training site on September 6.
- Ryan Sherriff (Rays) did not pitch. He was optioned to Tampa Bay’s alternate training site on September 4.
- Rob Kaminsky (Cardinals) did not pitch.
Injured list
- 3B Alex Bregman (Astros), since August 20.
Minor League notes
- Several athletes who have played in the Majors this season are now at their team’s so-called alternative training site:
- Ryan Lavarnway (Marlins)
- Ryan Sherriff (Rays)
- Robert Stock (Red Sox)
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