MLB storylines – from Storen to Thames

Phil Gurnee ♦ April 21, 2017 ♦ 1 Comment

Drew Storen threw an immaculate inning on 4/18. Until Tuesday I had never heard the term but it means the pitcher struck out the side on nine pitches.  My first thought was it can’t be that rare since Juan Nicasio did the same thing last year, but it turns out only 76 pitchers had turned the trick so it is rarer than a no-hitter.

Eric Thames hit another home run last night giving him eight home runs and the major league lead in just about every offensive category.  The American export to Korea who was imported back to the US has blown the doors off any expectations. He was Barry Bonds in Korea and so far he’s been Barry Bonds in the US.

It is possible that Ichiro Suzuki homered in his final at-bat at Safeco field.  Ichiro had not hit a home run at Safeco since 2012.

Jason Vargas was a journeyman pitcher his whole career. He had TJ in 2015 and came back last year in Sept and pitched a few games. I really thought his career as a member of a rotation was in jeopardy but he has started 2017 as though they attached the arm of Sandy Koufax to him.  It has only been three starts but so far he has thrown 20 innings, given up only one run, 14 hits, walked two, and struck out twenty-three. Even Clayton Kershaw is jealous of those numbers.

Bryce Harper hit two more home runs off of Julio Teheran this week. The Brave ace has now given up seven home runs in only thirty-three at-bats to Harper. I think the new rule that MLB put in place this year would save him four pitches and whiplash.

The Bluejays are 3 – 11 after winning 89 games last year. Imagine the pieces they might have to sell at the trade deadline if they don’t right the ship.