The Mariners were in danger of losing the first three games of a critical series against the Rangers until Dominic Canzone launched a go-ahead three-run homer in the seventh inning. Seattle now sends George Kirby to the mound with the chance to earn a split in the four-game set.
1. Abrams homers twice in series win
Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams had another monster game on Sunday, slugging two homers and driving in three. His first blast tied the game in the third inning, and his second shot gave the Nats a lead they wouldn’t relinquish. Abrams now has seven home runs since the All-Star break. As Jeff Passan of ESPN points out, that’s more than seven teams (Blue Jays, Orioles, Mariners, Twins, White Sox, Cardinals, Angels). With a half-dozen runs batted in over the weekend to push his season total to 82, the shortstop is now five RBI clear of the next-closest players (Yordan Alvarez, Jordan Walker). Washington took two of three from the Diamondbacks, cutting Arizona’s lead for the final NL Wild Card spot to one game.
2. Misiorowski punches out 12
Brewers Jacob Misiorowski has had some absurd performances this season, and he made more history yesterday. The big righty struck out the first seven Rockies he faced, setting a franchise record. A Troy Johnston flyout in the third inning finally broke the streak. Misiorowski then punched out the next five hitters. He threw 66 of his 83 pitches at 100+ mph, breaking his own record. Rockies outfielder Cole Carrigg broke up the perfect game with a home run in the fifth inning off a 102 mph heater. That made some Colorado history, as it was the fastest pitch a Rockie has taken deep in the pitch tracking era.
3. Diamondbacks head to Pittsburgh
Arizona leaves Washington clinging to the last playoff bid. It’s not just the Nats that are a game back. The Pirates are sitting right behind the Diamondbacks as well. Pittsburgh salvaged a game against the Cubs on Sunday to avoid a sweep. At +40, the Pirates have the best run differential among the clubs battling for the third Wild Card position. The Nats are next at +30. Arizona has a negative run differential this season (-3). It’ll be Mitch Keller taking on Merrill Kelly on Monday.
